Greenwood Magazine July 2019

JULY 2019

MAGAZINE

INDIANAPOLIS SOUTHSIDE HARLEY-DAVIDSON OFFERS NEW RIDING ACADEMY LOCATION

Joy. Confidence. Freedom.

1

#

in Indiana for Joint Replacement Considering joint replacement?

For 2019, CareChexÂŽ, an information service of Quantros, Inc., ranked Franciscan Health Mooresville as the #1 hospital in Indiana for Medical Excellence in Joint Replacement. Home to the Center for Hip & Knee Surgery, we are also named one of the top 10% hospitals nationally.

Choose one of the nation’s elite centers for your joint replacement.

Live life to its fullest again.

FranciscanHealth.org/CHKS 2 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / JULY 2019 / atGreenwood.com

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC.

18

GREENWOOD MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER

Fredda Kovacs

Fredda@TownePost.com / 317-402-3051

TOWNE POST CEO Tom Britt

Tom@TownePost.com / 317-496-3599

TOWNE POST PRESIDENT Jeanne Britt

Jeanne@TownePost.com / 317-288-7101

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Robert Turk

Rob@TownePost.com / 317-366-3670

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Austin Vance

ADVERTISING DESIGNER Valerie Randall

EDITORIAL MANAGER

L EARNING TO RIDE: INDIANAPOLIS SOUTHSIDE HARLEYDAVIDSON OFFERS NEW RIDING ACADEMY LOCATION

Indianapolis Southside Harley-Davidson, 4930 Southport Crossing Place, Indianapolis, has always been well known as a great riding academy, but the parking lot they used for their old riding instruction location was recently rented from the landowner.

Josh Brown Josh@TownePost.com

JULY WRITERS

Lynda Hedberg Thies / Jon Shoulders Matt Keating / Julie Yates

JULY PHOTOGRAPHERS

6

10

JWcreative.indy

SHOP LOCAL! Help our local economy by shopping local.

Advertising supporters of the Greenwood Community Magazine offset the costs of publication and mailing, keeping this publication FREE. Show your appreciation by thanking them with your business.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS ARE SPONSORED CONTENT

4 Business Directory 6 148 Ministries Offers ‘All in One’ Wellness Center

10 Abby’s Closet: Local Mom Opens New Shop In Former One Tenth Boutique Space

14 The Combined Giving Power

of 100+ Women Who Care : How One Johnson County Women’s Organization Is Making a Difference

18 Learning To RIde: Indianapolis

The Greenwood Community Magazine is published by Towne Post Network, Inc. and is written for and by local Greenwood residents. Submit story ideas to PR@atGreenwood.com.

TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. 8800 North Street, Suite 117, Fishers, IN 46038 Phone / Fax: 317-810-0011

Southside Harley-Davidson Offers New Riding Academy Location

22 Making the Call: Steve Woods

Prepares For Third Season As An NFL Official

atGreenwood.com / JULY 2019 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / 3

atGreenwood.com TownePost.com

COMPUTER HELP Geek in Pink Computer Repair 996 S State Rd 135, Greenwood, IN 46143 317-882-1606 www.GeekinPink.com

Geek in Pink is your solution for home & small business tech-related needs - from setting up new computers to recovering lost email passwords, virus removal to smart-home setup, speeding up slow computers to disposing of old machines as you make way for new ones. We offer service at our Greenwood shop or by house call.

HOME IMPROVEMENT VIP Home Solutions & Restoration, LLC. 310 W. Main St., Ste. 201 Greenwood, IN 46142 317-883-4847 www.viphomesolutions.com Roofing – Siding – Windows – Gutters – Remodels – Water Restoration

At VIP, we believe that relationships are the heart of our business. When you call us for help with your home improvements concerns, we guarantee that we will find an answer. Our mission is to be your trusted source for honest, reliable, personal home repair and remodeling solutions.

CHURCH Emmanuel Church Greenwood Campus Lead Pastor: Danny Anderson Campus Pastor: Cody Johnson 1640 W Stones Crossing Rd 317-535-9673 www.eclife.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/eclife.org Instagram: @my_eclife

No matter who you are or where you’re from, you are welcome at Emmanuel Church. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, we’re ready to come alongside you to help you take your next step.

REAL ESTATE Team Stiles – Compass Realty 4800 W. Smith Valley Rd., Ste. J Greenwood, IN 46142 317-883-9461 compassrealty.com

Real Estate in the Indy area is our specialty. Our team is committed to making the buying and selling of real estate a pleasurable and rewarding experience.

4 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / JULY 2019 / atGreenwood.com

Mike Cagle – F.C. Tucker Company, Inc. 195 N. Emerson Ave. Greenwood, IN 46143 317-888-3311 www.mikecagle.com

I consider the quality of my service second to none. My number one priority at all times is to protect your interests and those of your family. Each client is treated as my only client.

Janna Long – Smythe & Co. Real Estate 2000 Longest Drive Franklin, IN 46131 317-509-1605 www.smytherealestate.com

Dedicated to Exceptional Service.

FURNITURE & MATTRESS Today’s Home Furnishings 1675 W. Smith Valley Rd. Greenwood, IN 46142 317-886-7744 www.todayshf.com

Today’s Home Furnishings is the southside’s only Flexsteel Gallery. With more than 1,200 fabrics and leathers to choose from, we’ll help you customize. We also feature Southern Motion, England, Fusion and Simmons Beautyrest. We make quality affordable.

DENTIST Dr. Aaron Sauer 704 S State Rd 135 Greenwood, IN 46143 317-865-1234 www.sauerdentistry.com

Dr. Aaron Sauer and our friendly, knowledgeable staff are dedicated to making every visit to our office a great experience.

Sauer Dentistry of Center Grove is ready to serve all of your dental needs.

INSURANCE Danna Green – HealthMarkets 3147 Smith Valley Rd. Ste. E Greenwood, IN 46142 317-430-7094

I am proud to represent HealthMarkets Insurance Company in Indiana, Illinois and the Ohio area. We are focused on serving the life, health, retirement and long-term care insurance needs of small businesses and middle-income families and individuals.

HEATING & COOLING A Perfect Climate 432 US 31 South New Whiteland, IN 46184 317-936-2082 www.indianapolis-hvac.com/

A Perfect Climate is a family owned and operated Heating & Air company with more than 37 years experience. We provide residential and commercial services, installations and repairs for all make and model HVAC appliances and products.

A Perfect Climate offers air conditioning, heating, water heaters and air purification/ ventilation services. atGreenwood.com / JULY 2019 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / 5

Co-owners David and Amber Storvick, and Chris Walker

148 Ministries Offers ‘All in One’ Wellness Center

Writer / Matt Keating Photographer / JWcreative.indy

David Storvick, Pastor and Director of 148 Ministries, says his ministry’s wellness center has already helped numerous people with their struggles against sex abuse, sex trafficking, and addiction problems.

He stressed that the wellness center helps victims with their physical, mental and spiritual health by taking a holistic approach.

“148 stands for 1 Timothy 4:8, which says that physical training is of some value, but Godliness has value in all things,” Storvick says. “This facility was created to allow people to have a place where they can create change all in one place. We are an ‘all in one’ wellness center that offers gym memberships, physical therapy, counseling, personal training, group fitness classes, and semi-private training.”

148 Wellness was created out of 148 Ministries with a mission to help abused and addicted men and women.

6 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / JULY 2019 / atGreenwood.com

“Part of the profits from 148 Wellness goes toward helping the non-profit organization and supporting it’s mission,” Storvick says.

The venture was started by Storvick and his wife, Amber, and physical therapist, Chris Walker.

“Here at 148 Wellness, we care more about just a number on a scale,” Storvick says. “Our mission is to strengthen you for a better life.

With all the stress, crazy schedules, and a lack of focusing on yourself, it comes with a cost.”

Storvick added that, “Unfortunately, this can lead to a form of depression, lack of self confidence, self judgement, and most importantly, not being happy with who you are. We are the only ‘all in one’ facility in Greenwood that offers gym membership, personal training, physical therapy, and biblical counseling, with a portion of the proceeds going toward supporting a ministry that reaches out to the abused, addicted and trafficked in our own community.”

Storvick noted that the center has become a place where people can find a way to recover from their past problems, and work toward a positive goal.

“It’s a wonderful program,” he says. “Some of our clients who are recovering from addictions or trauma either need personal training, physical therapy, counseling or more education to help them become selfsufficient.”

148 Wellness has a monthly sponsorship program that, through an application process, people can apply to have their membership sponsored at 100% of the cost.

“This allows clients that have gone through our residential treatment center programs to come to 148 Wellness to receive training, physical therapy and counseling at no cost,” Storvick says. “This approach allows clients to get physical, mental and spiritual assistance at no cost to them.”

148 Wellness opened in February 2019.

“We are a gym that uses a holistic approach atGreenwood.com / JULY 2019 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / 7

when making a program for you,” Storvick says. “We first listen to what you want, and what your expectations are. From there we guide you and coach you on ways to better your life through accountability, education, and simply just being there for you through your journey. We are a private gym that is open to anyone.”

148 Wellness creates a community approach for their members, and they offer the following services: 24/7 gym membership, physical therapy, muscle activation therapy, dry needling, corrective exercise, rehabilitation, a fitness program/148 app, semi-private training, group fitness classes, movement centered therapy, nutrition coaching, and biblical counseling.

Storvick noted that 148 Wellness has had a good response from their recent open house, and from Mayor Mark Myers.

“We had a gentleman drop off flowers and tell us that he appreciated what we are doing for the community and others,” Storvick says. “We have parents who have children suffering from addiction, and we provide a group support system for those people. We have partnered with other businesses in the Greenwood area such as First Harvest, Agape Pizza, Kinetic Symmetry, and Brickhouse Coffee Company to create another sense of community.”

For more information, visit 148ministries.com or call 317-435-5427.

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® recognizes that Mike Cagle on March 30, 2019 earned the Commitment to Excellence Endorsement for dedication to practicing business at the highest professional standards.

MIKE CAGLE 317.888.3311 REALTORS

F.C. Tucker Company Top Ten recipient nine consecutive years.

South Office production for individual agents for the thirteenth time.

F.C. Tucker Company, Inc.

ADVERTISING INFORMATION:

CRS, GRI / FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

Mike.Cagle@TalkToTucker.com www.MikeCagle.com

MAILED MONTHLY TO MORE THAN 13,000 HOMES! FREDDA KOVACS

Questions about the real estate market?

Please call me.

Call a local expert; Greenwood resident for 38 years, full time real estate professional for 36 years.

PUBLISHER 317.402.3051 FREDDA@TOWNEPOST.COM atGreenwood.com! F T

8 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / JULY 2019 / atGreenwood.com GW_HouseAd_1-8.indd 1

9/18/18 9:29 AM

I N D I A N A W E S L E YA N U N I V E R S I T Y ESTABLISHED 1920

.

REGIONALLY ACCREDITED

.

.

N AT I O N A L & G LO B A L

N OT- F O R - P R O F I T

SHINE.BRIGHTER. 90+ ONLINE & ONSITE DEGREE PROGRAMS

NEW ASSOCIATE IN OCCUPATION THERAPY ASSISTANT

CLASSES HELD IN GREENWOOD • STARTING SEPTEMBER 2019

TEXT

765.613.3059 | IWUeducation.com

3 LOCAL LOCATIONS . GREENWOOD . INDIANAPOLIS NORTH . INDIANAPOLIS WEST

atGreenwood.com / JULY 2019 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / 9

STACY MAE SOCIAL WORK

Owner Abby Jackson 10 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / JULY 2019 / atGreenwood.com

Abby’s Closet Local Mom Opens New Shop In Former One Tenth Boutique Space Writer / Julie Yates Photographer / JWCreative.Indy

For years, when Abby Jackson’s friends were unsure of what to wear to an upcoming event or special occasion, she came to their rescue.

A self-proclaimed shopaholic, Jackson has always loved fashion. Adept at putting outfits together, Jackson’s girlfriends knew they could turn to her to pull just the right thing out of her packed closet.

“Everyone always told me, ‘You need to open a shop and call it Abby’s closet!’ I just laughed it off, but actually, I really did have a dream of opening a boutique or clothing store,” Jackson says.

Her wish became a reality this May when she opened Abby’s Closet, a consignment shop located at 202 North Madison Avenue.

A former flight attendant, Jackson became a stay-at-home mom when she started a family.

Now that her children are older, Jackson had been searching for something to occupy her time.

“Returning to flying didn’t seem like a good idea,” Jackson says. “Then I saw a sign out in front of the former One Tenth Boutique. I made an appointment to see it on a Monday and signed the papers the next Saturday. I love the smallness of it and the fact that it is in downtown Greenwood. I feel it is perfect for a consignment shop.”

Jackson spent time researching other consignment shops and came up with a pricing and operating plan. She accepts seasonal appropriate clothes in good condition, but unlike other gently used clothing stores, people dropping off clothes atGreenwood.com / JULY 2019 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / 11

get paid when the garments are sold and not when they are initially brought in.

First, the clothing is assigned a number, priced and put on the floor. When it sells, the owner gets 60% of the sale. If it doesn’t sell between four to six weeks, it is put on clearance. Finally, Jackson will call to find out if the patron wishes to pick their unsold items up or donate them to charity.

“A week before the shop opened, I put a yard sign outside to let people know we were accepting items,” she says. “We were flooded with so many clothes, I was staying at the store until 10:00 p.m. each night getting it organized. I priced most of the clothes at $15 or $20, but some of the highend designer brands are more. We have clothes for all ages, genders and sizes from extra small to 3X. It is really varied. There are sport fan items from the Indianapolis Colts and many college teams as well as niche things like scrubs.”

The inside of Abby’s Closet has a shabby chic boutique look and appealing displays.

Although most of the clothes have been previously enjoyed, some have never been worn and still have tags attached to them.

Customers can view new apparel arrivals via the shop’s Facebook page.

“Owning a clothing shop has always been one of my biggest dreams. I love socializing, styling clothes and putting outfits together so it’s just perfect for me. It all came together in just a few weeks and I am so thankful for everyone’s support,” Jackson says.

Abby’s Closet is located at 202 North Madison Avenue in Greenwood or you can give them a call at 317-893-2116 for more information.

12 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / JULY 2019 / atGreenwood.com

THE FUTURE IS IN SIGHT

Our vision for the future of health care in Johnson County is about to become reality. Soon we’ll be opening a new state-of-the-art emergency department and outpatient services building, totally reshaping the east side of our Franklin campus.

It’s a patient-focused future, with shorter wait times, easier access and the compassionate care you’ve come to expect from Johnson County’s only full-service hospital.

The future is in sight, and our vision is 2020.

atGreenwood.com / JULY 2019 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / 13

14 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / JULY 2019 / atGreenwood.com

The Combined Giving Power of 100+ Women Who Care How One Johnson County Women’s Organization Is Making a Difference Writer / Lynda Hedberg Thies Photography Provided

In our busy lives, we often don’t think we have the time to volunteer. While we want to help those in need, sometimes we just don’t know what organizations to give to or if our donation will even make a difference.

There is one organization, 100+ Women Who Care Johnson County, that allows you to commit only one hour every 90 days. It also allows you to network, meet other women, and learn about nonprofit organizations in your community. Even better, it lets you know that 100% of your donation will go to a local charity.

The group was founded by Carol Phipps, the director of Interchurch Food Pantry.

Phipps was involved in a chapter of 100+ Women Who Care in Edgar County in Illinois. She enjoyed its mission so much that she wanted to bring it to Johnson County.

members and awarded its first “no-stringsattached” grant of $4800. Phipps notes that you do not have to live in the county that the group is formed in.

100+ Women Who Care Johnson County is a group of women who gather four times a year for a one-hour meeting. Members are invited to nominate a nonprofit organization and three are randomly selected. The member that nominated them then presents information about the organization.

Each quarter, the group learns about local charities that they might not otherwise know about and each donates a $100 check to the charity that the group selects.

The donations leverage the individual contributions for a greater impact. The 100+ Women Who Care Johnson County group has grown to over 125 members, and to date has awarded more than $160,000 to 14 Johnson County nonprofits.

not have remained open until it was fixed,” Phipps says.

She went on to say that she “is thrilled to see so many organizations that do such great work in Johnson County receive these awards. I know what a difference it can make.”

While the group is all about supporting nonprofits and making a difference in the community, the organization has proven to be an efficient networking group. Many of the organizations have found volunteers and created connections that they otherwise might not have made. Member Sonya WareMeguiar, the Chief Executive Officer of Girls, Inc., knew about the organization because she knew the founding members.

In December 2015, she collaborated with Dorcus Abplanalp, Cheryl Morphew and Gail Richards to form the group through the Johnson County Community Foundation. The current steering committee chair, Ro Umbargar, has also been involved since the beginning.

The first recipient was the Interchurch Food Pantry and was nominated by a volunteer that had toured the facility (not Phipps) because of how impressed she was with the program. It just so happened that the heat went out the day the group met and the heating system needed to be replaced.

She says, “I love it because they run efficient meetings. We have some social time and then we get right down to business and they start the meeting on time and end the meeting on time.

There are a lot of new organizations that I have learned a lot about, so many worthwhile causes, visions and missions that other organizations are trying to get accomplished that I might never have known about if I had not been part of the group.”

The group invited everyone in their circle of influence to a kickoff luncheon in December 2015. At the first meeting in February 2016, the group boasted 48

“It was such a surprise to have my organization nominated and to receive that grant was such a blessing because it was winter, so our organization could

In Johnson County alone, there are more than 200 nonprofit organizations that are engaged in serving those that live in the community. There are

atGreenwood.com / JULY 2019 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / 15

plenty of organizations that members can nominate. Once a recipient has been awarded the funds, they must wait two years before they can be nominated again.

The remaining meetings for 2019 are August 1 and November 7 from 5:306:30 p.m. There is a social time prior to the meeting at 4:45 p.m. Meetings are held at Garment Factory Events, 101 E. Wayne St., Franklin, Indiana. There is a $12.00 meeting fee that covers the cost of the room and refreshments (cash bar available). Interested guests are welcome to attend one of the meetings and only pay the $12 meeting fee.

If you would like to join 100+ Women Who Care Johnson County or learn more about the group, visit jccf.org/100women or call 317-738-2213.

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS OR EVENT TO GREENWOOD AREA HOMES! JUNE 2019 MAGAZINE

ADVERTISING INFORMATION:

FREDDA KOVACS

PUBLISHER 317.402.3051 FREDDA@TOWNEPOST.COM

atGreenwood.com! F T

16 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / JULY 2019 / atGreenwood.com

atGreenwood.com / JULY 2019 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / 17

INDIANAPOLIS SOUTHSIDE HARLEY-DAVIDSON OFFERS NEW RIDING ACADEMY LOCATION Writer / Matt Keating Photographer / JWCreative.Indy

Steve McQueen, Harley-Davidson Riding Academy Manager 18 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / JULY 2019 / atGreenwood.com

I

ndianapolis Southside HarleyDavidson®, 4930 Southport Crossing Place, Indianapolis, has always been well known as a great riding academy, but the parking lot they used for their old riding instruction location was recently rented from the landowner.

Steve McQueen, the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy manager, however, says that didn’t stop the academy. It now has a new great place for riding instruction.

“Our classes were formerly held in a parking lot off I-74 and Post Road,” McQueen says. “Our new facility is now located at 6735 US 31, North Whiteland, Indiana. This location is on

the Greenwood line, with a Whiteland address.”

The new Indianapolis Southside HarleyDavidson Riding Academy has already been positively received by the public.

“The new range is amazing,” McQueen says. “The surface is phenomenal, and the fresh markings make it very easy to teach classes there. After 17 years teaching motorcycle safety in Indiana, I can say that this facility is the finest I have ever worked on.”

McQueen adds that the fact that it is owned by Indianapolis Southside HarleyDavidson is a huge asset.

atGreenwood.com / JULY 2019 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / 19

“Typically, rider training is conducted at leased or donated facilities that the owner can decide in an instant if they want to allow someone else to use it,” he says. “This is for money of course, and you never know if you will have a place to teach from month to month or year to year. What the Schulteti family (who have owned the Harley-Davidson dealership for several generations) has done is beyond amazing. My coaches and I are very grateful for their support and commitment.”

The instructional classes at the dealership also make motorcycle riders feel comfortable.

“Not only is our riding conducted on a very large area, but the dealership set aside a very large portion of the upstairs for our classroom sessions,” McQueen says.

“Visiting coaches from all over the United States were just here for training and all remarked about the size of the classroom.

It is top notch and who does not love being in a Harley-Davidson dealership?

I also can’t say enough about the new range. Both locations are easily accessible and convenient from about anywhere in Central Indiana.”

The classes attract all different age groups.

“We have taught as young as 15 years old, and I just finished a class with a gentleman who was 70 years old,” McQueen says.

“We get a lot of females who have decided they want off the back (of the motorcycle), and to be in control, and we also see a lot of men who gave up riding earlier in life to raise the family and now want to return.”

McQueen adds that “The U.S. motorcycle

industry has been trailing downward some, so new and exciting products are on the forefront.”

New trends are the introduction of electric motorcycles to the Harley-Davidson line, along with the addition of kids’ electric bicycles.

a huge part of the success at Southside Harley-Davidson,” McQueen says.

“Among the staff, there are third and fourth generation family members, and the fifth generation will join the business this fall. It has been through a lot of hard work and changing with the times, that the business has evolved, as the industry has.”

“This will open up opportunities for ages three and up,” McQueen says. “There is also an ever-growing number of women riding their own motorcycles these days.

Women riders have been on the rise for decades, and there is no end in sight.

Another new trend is that the industry has put a huge focus on rider training to get more people on motorcycles.”

Returning customers have also helped tremendously.

McQueen believes Indianapolis Southside Harley-Davidson’s great inventory and wonderful staff have greatly benefitted the dealership.

Indianapolis Southside Harley-Davidson is located at 4930 Southport Crossing Place, Indianapolis, Indiana. You can give them a call at 317-885-5180 or visit them online at southsideharley.com.

“There is no question the longevity of the staff, and the knowledge they bring are

20 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / JULY 2019 / atGreenwood.com

“The other very important factor is the loyal customer base that we have called family for many years,” McQueen says.

“We want each and every customer to feel like they are home among family every time they step in the door.”

Steve Woods Prepares For Third Season As An NFL Official Writer / Jon Shoulders Photographer / JWcreative.indy

Greenwood. “It’s crazy how one question changes the entire trajectory of your life.”

Throughout the upcoming NFL season, Johnson County residents will be able to watch one of their own on the field.

It won’t be a player, however. Rather, it’s one of the officials who works diligently to keep each and every game running smoothly.

Woods promptly got busy learning his new craft at local bantam leagues, eventually calling high school and small college games. In 2008, a new challenge came when he was hired into the Mid-American Conference and found himself officiating at the Division I collegiate level. By 2012, the Big Ten conference had officially brought him on board.

Steve Woods, a native and resident of Franklin, is now in his third season as an NFL official, having started his journey in football officiating 20 years ago.

Woods says officiating at the college level requires a high level of dedication in many respects.

After graduating from Wabash College, where he played football and studied English and philosophy, Woods took a job with a sports marketing company that eventually brought him to Dallas in the early 1990s. During a workout class at his local athletic club, one of his fellow exercisers asked if he’d ever considered officiating football games.

“In order to get noticed for college conference officiating, you have to attend clinics that require a financial commitment on your part - I went to clinics in Michigan, Ohio and California,” he says. “And on top of that, you’re working college scrimmages, sometimes for free, just to get noticed. It’s just the way you have to do it.”

“I didn’t even know how people get started in officiating, but it got my interest going enough to look into it,” says Woods, who works as a financial advisor with Raymond James in

In 2015, Woods was invited to participate in the National Football League’s Officiating Development Program, which gives college-level officials exposure to the NFL officiating

22 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / JULY 2019 / atGreenwood.com

experience. Invitees attend meetings and study game film with NFL officials and participate in NFL training camps and minicamps.

“It’s the pool of candidates that the NFL hires from, so getting into that was another rung in the ladder,” Woods says. “There’s no guarantee that you’ll get in, but you’re a step closer.”

Throughout 2015 and 2016, while continuing to officiate at the collegiate level, Woods worked a Philadelphia-Baltimore matchup that happened to be Tim Tebow’s last pro game. In the spring of 2017, he got a phone call that he describes as “surreal”.

“I got a call from (former NFL vice president of officiating) Dean Blandino, and he said they’d like to hire me,” Woods says. “It was absolutely nuts. I still have a screenshot of the call - it was April 24 at 3:09 p.m. Then I spent some time calling everyone who had helped me out, which was great.”

Woods’ current official position is umpire, which involves standing behind the offensive line to keep an eye on blocks, as well as observing the line of scrimmage during pass plays.

Preparation is the name of the NFL officiating game - Woods’ prep for each game starts immediately after the previous week’s game during his flight home when he reviews the game film.

The following day he continues analyzing film from multiple

angles and receives a grade on his previous game performance.

“The supervisors will ask us questions about particular plays, and we get graded on every minute of every game,” Woods says.

“On Wednesday we get our final grades, receive our weekly quiz, watch training tapes, and by Thursday and Friday we’re watching film on the next team. So by the time game day hits, you’re done preparing. The game itself is the best part of the week.”

Woods says his direct experience with players throughout his first two seasons has been surprisingly altercation-free.

“I won’t name any names, but some of the guys with the worst reputations are actually the nicest,” he says. “You’re going to get yelled at once in a while and tempers are going to flare, but it’s our job to always keep our cool and be the adults out there.”

In July, Woods will find out which preseason games he’ll work, and he looks forward to his third season this fall with relish and appreciation for how far he’s come.

“You’ve got to put in the work, and you can’t cheat the grind,” he says. “As much as I’m in the limelight now and hear people say how they’d love to do what I’m doing, there aren’t many people who want to go and get their hands dirty and do the heavy lifting. But it’s what you have to do.

atGreenwood.com / JULY 2019 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / 23

I WANT YOU Team Stiles TO SELL YOUR HOME IN JULY WITH

Sold

SELLING HOMES DAILY

Sold

GORGEOUS PHOTOS

UNIQUE MARKETING PLAN FOR YOUR UNIQUE HOME A portion of every closing goes back into the community by helping less fortunate get the help they need through vendor partnerships and Compass Realty volunteers.

Hire a company who cares about your community.

#24 INDEPENDENT BROKER IN ALL OF INDIANA 4800 W. SMITH VALLEY RD • STE J • GREENWOOD

317-883-9461 • VALUESINGREENWOOD.COM

Team Stiles View Our 5-Star Reviews on Facebook & Google

Johnson County’s Premier Real Estate Team