George Phares

Well-known and respected around the state as a teacher and coach, George Phares led Taylor High School’s baseball team to the Class 2A state
championship in 2000. In claiming the only IHSAA state title in school history, Phares’ squad finished the season with a 30-4 won-lost record and
dominated the state tournament, outscoring six opponents by a 52-8 margin.

A graduate of Shelbyville High School and Indiana State University, Phares coached baseball seven seasons at Morristown and 31 at Taylor where
he compiled a 537-321 record. Over 38 seasons, his teams were 656-412.

While at Taylor beginning in 1977, Phares’ squads won or shared 11 Mid-Indiana Conference titles and made two state final appearances. He had
14 players selected for the Indiana North-South All-Star Series, 25 named all-state and 40-plus who later played at the college level.

Phares was named to the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2004 and Taylor’s baseball facility was named “Phares
Field” in 2006. He will be remembered for more than his baseball success. He coached girls golf at Taylor for 24 seasons taking three squads to the
IHSAA state finals – the top finish being third in 1993. Phares was also involved at various levels of boys and girls basketball for 25 seasons. He
coached girls varsity basketball two seasons, compiling a 36-6 record that included two conference titles.