If you spend any time around Hendricks County, you know the sound. It’s that low rumble of a crowd that starts picking up around 6:00 PM on a Friday. Usually, it's coming from the south side of US-36. People in Indiana take high school sports seriously, sure, but Avon High School athletics occupies a specific, almost relentless space in the state's competitive landscape. It isn't just about having a big student body. It’s about a culture that feels almost professionalized, yet somehow stays rooted in that "Oriole Pride" thing everyone talks about.
Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of.
You’ve got the powerhouse marching band (yes, they are athletes, don't argue), a volleyball program that basically breathes state titles, and a football atmosphere that rivals some small colleges. But if you look closer, the real story isn't just the wins. It’s how the school manages to stay relevant across almost every single sport they offer, from the "big" ones to the technical precision of swimming and cross country.
The Volleyball Dynasty is Real
Let’s talk about the floor. Specifically, the volleyball court. If you want to understand the standard for Avon High School athletics, you start with Coach Patton.
It’s rare to see a program stay this dominant for this long. We aren't just talking about a lucky year or two with a star hitter. We’re talking about a system. They’ve bagged multiple IHSAA Class 4A State Championships—2012, 2013, 2017—and they are constantly in the mix. Why? Because the feeder system in Avon is massive.
The kids start young. They play club. By the time they hit the high school gym, they already know the expectations. It’s intense. Sometimes, the practices are actually harder than the matches. You’ll see players diving for balls in drills that look like they’re designed for Navy SEALs. It's that "refuse to lose" mentality that has turned the program into a factory for Division I talent.
Football and the Friday Night Pressure Cooker
Football is different. It’s louder.
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The Orioles compete in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference (HCC). If you aren't from around here, just know the HCC is widely considered the "SEC of Indiana high school football." You’re playing Fishers, Carmel, Center Grove, and Brownsburg every single week. There are no "easy" Fridays.
The rivalry with Brownsburg? It’s personal. It’s the "Battle of the Rails." When those two teams meet, the bleachers are packed, the energy is vibrating, and the stakes feel way higher than a regional ranking.
But here’s the thing people get wrong: they think it’s just about size. Avon is a big school, yeah, but the HCC is full of big schools. What makes Avon High School athletics competitive on the turf is the investment in the weight room. You’ll see these kids in there at 6:00 AM in the middle of January. That’s where the games are actually won. The transition from coaches like Mark Bless to the current leadership hasn't changed that core fundamental: be stronger than the guy across from you.
What about the "Minor" Sports?
They aren't minor to the kids playing them.
Take a look at the wrestling mats or the swimming lanes. Avon consistently sends athletes to the state finals in individual sports. The track and field program is another sleeper hit. They produce sprinters and jumpers who end up on podiums in Bloomington every June. It's a broad-spectrum excellence that you don't always see. Usually, a school is a "basketball school" or a "football school." Avon tries to be an "everything school."
It’s exhausting just thinking about it.
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The Marching Black and Gold Factor
Okay, we have to talk about the band. In some places, the band is halftime entertainment. At Avon, the Marching Black and Gold is a high-performance machine.
The physical toll on these students is immense. They’re out on the asphalt in 90-degree heat for hours, hitting marks with mathematical precision while playing complex arrangements. They’ve won more State and National (BOA) championships than most people can count.
- State Titles: Over a dozen since the early 2000s.
- World Class Staff: They hire the best in the business.
- Total Commitment: If you're in the band, that's your life.
This culture of "perfection or bust" bleeds into the other sports. When the football players see the band winning national titles, and the band sees the volleyball team hoisting trophies, it creates this weird, beautiful cycle of internal pressure. Nobody wants to be the program that isn't winning.
The Cost of Excellence
Is it all sunshine and Gatorade? Kinda, but not really.
There’s a lot of pressure. When you’re part of Avon High School athletics, you’re representing a community that expects to be at the top of the standings. That can be heavy for a 16-year-old. The school has had to put a lot of focus lately on mental health and balancing academics with these grueling schedules.
Also, the facilities. People see the turf and the shiny gyms and think it's all easy. But maintaining that level of infrastructure requires constant community support and tax dollars. It’s a massive investment.
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How to Get Involved or Support the Orioles
If you’re new to the area or a parent wondering how to navigate this, here is the "real talk" on getting involved.
Don't wait for high school.
If your kid wants to play for Avon, you need to look at the youth leagues now. The Avon Junior Athletic Association (AJAA) is where the foundation is laid. Whether it’s baseball, cheer, or basketball, the kids who succeed at the high school level usually started in AJAA or local club circuits.
Get the Eventlink App.
Seriously. This is how the school manages schedules, tickets, and last-minute weather delays. If you're trying to find a game time on a random Tuesday, this is your bible.
Show up for more than just Football.
Go watch a soccer match under the lights. Go to a wrestling dual. The atmosphere is different, but the intensity is exactly the same.
Watch the "Battle of the Rails."
If you only go to one event all year, make it the Avon vs. Brownsburg game. It doesn't matter what the records are. It’s the quintessential Indiana high school sports experience.
Practical Steps for New Athletes
- Physicals First: You can't even step on a mat without a cleared IHSAA physical on file. Get this done in the spring for the following year to avoid the August rush.
- Contact the Coaches: Most Avon coaches are teachers in the building. They are accessible. If you're moving to the district, reach out early to get on the summer mailing lists. Summer "weights and conditioning" are basically mandatory if you want to see the field.
- Balance the Books: The "student" part of student-athlete is strictly enforced. If the GPA drops, you’re sitting on the bench. No exceptions.
The reality of Avon High School athletics is that it’s a full-time job for the kids, the coaches, and the parents who drive them to practice at dawn. It’s a high-stakes environment that produces some of the toughest competitors in the Midwest. Whether you love the "win-at-all-costs" vibe or just want to see your kid learn some discipline, there’s no denying that when an athlete puts on that gold and black jersey, they’re stepping into a legacy that was decades in the making.
Stay updated by checking the official Avon Athletics website for the latest scores and streaming links for away games. Support the boosters, wear your gold, and get to the stadium early if you want a decent seat.