New endowment benefits Cabby O’Neill Gym in honor of Bernie Vogler

An endowment to benefit the Cabby O’Neill Gymnasium, made possible by Dr. Michael and Whitney Ruff, has been established with the Dubois County Community Foundation to provide perpetual income for the 1939 Jasper school gymnasium and to honor one of its lead volunteers, Bernie Vogler.

The Jasper gymnasium, built in 1939, was home to the Jasper Wildcats until 1977, including the state championship team of 1949.  Scheduled for demolition in 2009, the gymnasium was saved from the wrecking ball.  The Wildcats have returned to O’Neill gym for various activities.

Following the unexpected collapse of the Jasper High School gym on St. Charles Street in 2011, it became the temporary home for Varsity and JV Boys and Girls Basketball, Volleyball and Wrestling for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons

Today, the Cabby O’Neill gym is more than just a visible symbol of the nostalgia, belief in tradition, and pride that kept it alive. It remains an active facility utilized year-round by the Greater Jasper School Corporation and community groups, including the Tri-County YMCA for summer programming.  The gymnasium remains in impeccable condition with modern amenities to serve the community.

The iconic and historic gym will remain a vital part of our downtown community with the initial step taken to establish this endowment.  As public donations help the fund grow and expand its asset base, dedicated grants from the endowment will ensure decades of continued enhancements and community use of the gymnasium.

Anyone interested in donating to the Endowment to benefit the Cabby O’Neill gym, or to honor Mr. Vogler and all the dedicated volunteers, may do so by contributing to the fund at the Dubois County Community Foundation.

Donations are accepted online or by mailing to the Community Foundation, c/o The Bernie Vogler Fund for the Cabby O’Neill Gymnasium Endowment, 600 McCrillus St, PO Box 269, Jasper, IN  47547-0269.