Jun 13 2024
The Siegel Family Scholarship
Ed and Carmen Siegel valued the importance of family. Whether it was their three children: Mark, Julie, and David, the Pike basketball family, the Pike faculty family, or the Pike community family, the definition of family for Ed and Carmen was all encompassing.
Carmen was a nursery school teacher in Pike Township at Bethel Nursery School for sixteen years. She loved teaching in a Christian-themed environment where she valued the importance of faith, music, and play nurturing young children to grow in an encouraging environment. Carmen was an active volunteer within the community and Pike schools. Her contagious personality made her a friend to all she met.
Ed began his devotion to Pike Township joining the faculty at Central Elementary in 1967. He became the Pike High School Boys Head Basketball coach in 1970 and retained that position until his retirement in 1995. During Ed’s time at Pike High School, he valued teaching Economics to all graduating seniors, where his business advice was often sought. The students loved Ed and in turn awarded him with the “Gold Brick Award” five times for his devotion to education. Ed’s basketball success of six Sectional wins and two regional wins recognized him with the “Marion County Coach of the Year” three times, and the CSAC “Coach of the Year” seven times throughout his career. However, his greatest basketball memory was coaching his sons, Mark, and David, two outstanding Pike High School athletes. Ed continued his support to community serving on the Pike School Board from 1998 through 2002.
Carmen was as much a member of the Pike Basketball teams as Ed was. You could find Carmen in the stands cheering for Pike at every game. Her home, heart, and dinner table were always open to students—both during their high school years and long after their glory days on the court or classroom had faded away. Carmen was as much a mother figure to students and players as Ed was a father figure.
Carmen and Ed were devoted to their children, Mark, Julie, and David. Along with their children, the Siegel home was always open to welcome others with love and laughter. That love and inclusion extended to the Pike faculty, students, and community where Carmen and Ed were loved in return. To know Carmen and Ed was to be a part of their family forever to share in community, love, and laughter.
The Pike Township Educational Foundation and the PHS Alumni Association would like to remember Ed and Carmen with a scholarship. Our funding goal is $20,000 to create an endowment – ensuring that this scholarship will continue in perpetuity.