Retired resident connects kids with sports
By Nancy Edwards
Dan Rieke’s love of sports goes beyond the faithful baseball fan seen at every game. He has turned his passion into helping change the lives of children in the community.
Rieke, 56 and now retired, has been a sports fanatic since growing up with Little League and watching the World Series. Because he also enjoys children and volunteering, he has been involved with the Southeastern Program of Recreational Team Sports, currently serving as a board member.
Rieke also managed the Facilities Committee with S.P.O.R.T.S., where he developed athletic fields for Cyntheanne and Ritchie Parks in Hamilton County.
Rieke is passionate about S.P.O.R.T.S. because he is interested in seeing children move away from mostly inactive, solo activities such as playing video games or visiting social sites to being active and developing social skills.
“You almost have to have organized activities now so kids can meet other kids and learn what it means to be on a team,” he said. “It’s important for kids to have activities that they feel a part of, and success builds character and self-esteem. I like to be involved in trying to make a good league with integrity and equal opportunities and making Fishers a better community to live in.”
To learn more about S.P.O.R.T.S., visit www.hsesports.org.