Bate inducted into Indiana Boys and Girls Clubs Hall of Fame

Jeff Bate’s extensive resume of community service and dedication was once again recognized Thursday evening at the Keystone Sheraton in Indianapolis when the local attorney was inducted into the Indiana Boys and Girls Clubs Hall of Fame.

“Jeff has an intellectual honesty that makes him indispensable to the club,” said fellow board member and Hall of Fame inductee Phil Batton. “He is unconditionally committed to the Shelbyville Boys and Girls Club and its mission. He has an unwavering respect for the club and its tradition and has brought a very reasoned and logical perspective to the organization for more than 25 years.”

Bate joins Joe Harlan, Jerry Lux and Batton as the fourth Shelbyville board member in the hall’s seven-year history to be so honored.

“There are certainly many more deserving people, but I am very grateful,” said Bate. “I am pleased to have had the opportunity to serve such a worthy, productive Shelby County institution like the Boys and Girls Club for so many years.”

Bate had been an active Shelby County Babe Ruth Baseball board member for several years when he was asked to join the Boys and Girls Club board in 1999.

Jeff Bate poses with the 2001 club basketball team he coached. The roster included his son, Taylor (front row, second from left).

“My son was involved at the Boys and Girls Club and I had coached some there. I enjoyed my days there as a youth as well so I was more than happy to do what I could.”

Bate and his family moved to Shelbyville in 1969 when his father joined a local law practice. He recalls a wonderful time as a youth with great friends and wonderful experiences.

“I will always appreciate the fine people and their parents that I was privileged to grow up with after moving to town,” relates Bate. “Everyone treated me and my family so well. I have always remembered that and have been eager to repay that kindness in any way possible.”

The 1981 Shelbyville High School graduate’s contributions to the Boys and Girls Club have been monumental. He was a creator of, and still chairs, the Club’s Mid-Winter Festival fundraiser that has gone on to realize tremendous success over the course of the past 20 years.

“That event was successful from its start back in 2005,” said Bate. “It has really been a case of the community coming together to demonstrate their support every January. It is also very satisfying to see so many club alumni actively support and attend our major fundraiser each year.”

He also was instrumental in the success of the club’s 2015-16 capital campaign that raised more than $1.1 million for building renovation.

“The 1993-96 capital campaign, before my time there, raised the necessary funds for much needed building addition and construction,” said Bate. “That second campaign that was initiated in 2015 was dedicated to providing money for updates and renovation which were essential to upgrade parts of the facility that were initially built in 1960.”

Bate’s efforts on behalf of Shelby County have not been limited to the Boys and Girls Club and Babe Ruth Baseball. He has served in numerous other helpful capacities including serving as:  a member of the Shelbyville Central Schools Board; a founding and current member of the Shelbyville High School Alumni Hall of Fame Committee; president and member of the Shelby County Election Board; president of the Shelby County Bar Association; and a member of the local Salvation Army board of directors.

His myriad honors and awards include Shelby County Babe Ruth Coach of the Year; Shelby County Chamber of Commerce John A. Hartnett Sr. Business Person of the Year; and The J. Kenneth Self Boys and Girls Club Adult Volunteer of the Year.

Bate is a 1989 graduate of the Indiana University School of law in Indianapolis and followed his father into the legal profession.

“My father has had the greatest positive impact on me,” said Bate. “He taught me about integrity and professionalism and served as a constant example as to how one should relate to people.”

The 36-year lawyer also expressed his appreciation for his wife and children.

“I am very fortunate to have a loving, supportive family” said Bate. “Ultimately that is what is most important in life.”

Honors and awards are very gratifying but Bate says an even greater satisfaction is derived from encountering individuals he has coached and worked or interacted with through his many years of Boys and Girls Club experience.

“That is when you comprehend the value of putting significant time and effort into great organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club,” said Bate. “There is a tremendous history there and the results are apparent. The evidence of the good the Club achieves is all around you.”  

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