The Community Foundation of Boone County is proud to announce Stephanie Heiser of Zionsville as the recipient of the 2026 Lionel Dubay Youth Sports Award. This annual honor recognizes an individual who has made an ongoing commitment to Zionsville youth sports – values shared by the late Lionel Dubay. Dubay was a vital parent and supporter of youth sports in Zionsville. The award was established in 1993 by Dubay’s wife Gwen, his friends, and community donations to continue his legacy.
This year, the award is presented posthumously. Stephanie passed away unexpectedly on March 29, 2026, but her impact on the Zionsville swimming community endures in every athlete she cheered for, every meet she helped run, and every family she welcomed into the fold.
A devoted volunteer with the Zionsville Swim Club (ZSC) for over 15 years, Stephanie’s contributions were as wide-ranging as they were wholehearted. She served on the ZSC Board of Directors for eight years and became a certified swim official in 2014, working her way up to the role of Meet Referee – a distinction that requires years of dedication and that few volunteers attain. She volunteered at Indiana Swimming national-level meets, including the Olympic Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium, and served on planning committees for those events. For six years, she served as Treasurer of the Zionsville High School Swim and Dive Parent Group, organizing meals, coordinating events, and keeping families connected. She showed up even when her own three children – Elyse, Easton, and Everett – weren’t competing, and she stayed extra sessions to ensure meets could go forward. Her husband Brad, also a swim official, served alongside her throughout.
As one nominator shared, “Stephanie was a constant and enthusiastic presence in the stands, cheering not only for her own children but for every Zionsville swimmer. Her generosity, attention to detail, and genuine care for others made a lasting impact. Stephanie Heiser embodied the spirit of philanthropy through years of quiet, selfless dedication. Her legacy lives on in the strength and culture of the Zionsville swimming community she helped build.”
In recognition of this award, the accompanying $500 grant has been directed to the Zionsville Swim Club (ZSC).
The Zionsville Swim Club is a USA Swimming member club that has provided competitive swimming opportunities to athletes ages 8–18 in the Zionsville community for more than 40 years. With over 300 members and a mission to inspire and encourage excellence through swimming, ZSC welcomes all skill levels – from national-level competitors to those who simply love the sport.
To learn more about ZSC, visit www.zionsvilleswimclub.com.
“What struck me most about Stephanie’s story is how consistently people described the same thing: she made them feel like they mattered. That kind of quiet, steady presence – showing up weekend after weekend, cheering for every swimmer, caring about the smallest details – is exactly what the Lionel Dubay Youth Sports Award was created to honor. Stephanie’s impact on the Zionsville swimming community will be felt for years to come, and we are grateful for the chance to celebrate her legacy.”
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF BOONE COUNTY
The Community Foundation of Boone County exists to unite people, organizations, and philanthropy to create a thriving community for all. Since 1991, its leaders have worked to empower and engage local communities to make a difference right here in Boone County, while also leading a vision to collaboratively address the root causes of challenges facing Boone County in diverse and equitable ways. The Community Foundation continues to invest in the people working to fill local needs and has granted more than $33 million to nonprofit organizations and programs working to solve critical challenges in Boone County. With nearly $45 million in net assets, the Community Foundation works with donors to create permanent funds for charitable giving, to strengthen Boone County for generations to come.