Jerry Lasiter brings out basketballs before a 2004 game at Whiteland High School, as he had for 40 years.
Daily Journal File Photo
A legend of the town and a superfan of Whiteland Community High School athletics; Jerry Lasiter is known by many as Whiteland’s No. 1 fan.
Lasiter’s family planted their roots in Whiteland decades ago. Lasiter got his first taste for Whiteland athletics as a kid in school. A personal friend of his who currently serves on the Clark-Pleasant school board, Butch Zike, said Lasiter’s obsession with sports initially started when he began riding team buses back in 1967.
“Jerry would support all the players,” Zike said. “He got to the point that in basketball, he would bring gum and give it out to all the players that wanted it — every game, every day.”
He even offered bubble gum to the opposing team coaches as well, as long as they were friendly.
“Jerry was just such a big supporter of the teams,” Zike said. “He probably cared more about the outcome of the games than the players did, winning or losing.”
Lasiter was an honorary member of the teams for football, track and field, wrestling and basketball because he loved the sports. What keeps him coming to games? Zike said he thinks it’s because Lasiter was treated so well by the town.
“He had an uncanny ability to remember the people and the players. You could leave Whiteland and come back in 15 years and he would know who you are,” Zike said. “He was really appreciative of anything we did. He was really just a funny, hilarious kid. He was so friendly and he cared so much.”
Ed Tichenor, former WCHS athletic director, used to take Lasiter home after track and field competitions. Living just a few minutes away from each other, Tichenor and Lasiter continued their friendship inside the school and out. Lasiter would frequent Tichenor’s small business, Whiteland Auto Supply, dropping by to purchase a Coke from the vending machine and chit-chat with Tichenor.
Tichenor also echoed Zike’s thoughts, saying Lasiter’s relationship with coaches and players went further than bubblegum. That’s what made it so hard when Lasiter ultimately moved to Kentucky with his brother, Jim Lasiter.
While Tichenor said he’s heard Lasiter, who is now in his late seventies, is doing well, the town isn’t the same without his sportsmanship and bright personality.
“The community always took care of Jerry and he always kind of took care of us, too,” Tichenor said. “He touched so many lives and we all miss him, but time has a way of changing things I guess.”
Another pal from back in the day, Dave McMillan, met Lasiter in 1988. Their bond was formed over peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which Lasiter made for McMillan quite frequently. He became a part of their family and Lasiter met McMillan’s son when he was first born.
“Jerry was just the most loyal individual you’ll ever meet. He has an absolute heart of gold,” McMillan said.
Close to McMillan during his time coaching track, Lasiter would buy pizza from Kacey’s Pizza Spot and offer it up to the referees and coaches, also eating it with occasional student-athletes.
One of these students was Evan Fruits, who is now an investment consultant for the Clark-Pleasant Education Foundation. Fruits used to come early to his meets just to “eat pizza and hang out” with Lasiter and McMillan.
“Jerry was so worried about getting pizza to everyone and talking that he would barely ever give a slice,” Fruits said. “He was the most energetic Whiteland fanatic.”
Wanting to support and honor Jerry, the foundation has decided to create a scholarship to celebrate the loyalty he has given to Whiteland.
With a goal to fully fund the scholarship for perpetuity and make it recurring, the foundation is kicking off a year-long campaign to raise $100,000.
To jumpstart the fundraising push, Lasiter will be back in Indiana to be the honorary captain of the Whiteland Warriors’ home game on Sept. 1. Whit’s Inn will be serving food during the game and 100% of the proceeds will go toward the scholarship fund. The fundraiser will be from 4:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. in the parking lot by the Whiteland football field.
School officials are also planning a pickleball tournament fundraiser for some time in September.
“We want to honor Jerry so that future generations of students will know who he was long after he’s gone,” Fruits said. “When there are people from the past like Jerry, it’s important to make sure they don’t get lost in history.”
HOW TO HELP
Jerry Lasiter Scholarship
What: Clark-Pleasant Education Foundation would like to honor Jerry Lasiter and his love and commitment to this community with a scholarship in his name. The foundation will take a Pathways to the Future 4-year renewable scholarship and name it in his honor. In order to fully fund this scholarship for perpetuity, the foundation needs to raise $100,000.
Donate: Give online here: clarkpleasanteducationfoundation.networkforgood.com/projects/193718-jerry-lasiter-scholarship
