Published: June 20, 2009 11:32 pm      

Cass’ Lee wins Phillips Mental Attitude Award

Senior honored after Class 2A title game

INDIANAPOLIS — Lewis Cass senior Keith Lee was chosen by the IHSAA as the 2009 recipient of the L.V. Phillips Mental Attitude Award following the Class 2A Baseball State Finals at Victory Field Saturday.

Lee, a recent graduate of Cass High School, was recognized for excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. The award is named for the late L.V. Phillips, who served as the second IHSAA commissioner from 1945 to 1962.

Lee said his approach has been a simple one, to stay positive as much as possible.

“There’s been a lot of guys come through the program [at Lewis Cass],” said Lee, who was surprised by the announcement. “We have a lot of tradition here and everything. I wouldn’t want to play at any other school. It means a lot to me.”

Lee was a three-year starter for the Kings and was an All-Loganland selection all three years. He finished high school 13th in his class of 129 graduates and scored 1,400 on his SAT. Lee was a member of SADD, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Key Club and the Letterman’s Club. He will attend Ball State this fall to study physical therapy.

“Keith is an awesome young man and our coaching staff knows he’s generally the last man to leave practice every day,” said Cass coach Greg Marschand. “I can be out there dragging the infield and I can hear the pitching machine going in the fieldhouse. I don’t have to guess who it is. It’s Keith Lee.

“He’s bought into what we’ve done and tried to accomplish. That’s a tremendous honor for Keith. I’m proud of him.”