If his background in athletics and in business provide any indication, Senior Helpers in Crown Point will eventually become a successful business for Mike Stuckert.

The 1988 Highland High School and 1992 Cornell University grad, who was The Times Athlete of the Year in 1988, serves as the Director of Operations for Senior Helpers.

Stuckert, who starred in football, swimming and baseball for the Trojans, saw a need for senior services in Northwest Indiana and started looking at business options in that area.

Through research, Stuckert learned Senior Helpers -- with no prior location in northwest Indiana -- was a company he could invest in and start himself.

With 150 locations nationwide, Senior Helpers provides in-home care for senior citizens.

Stuckert's mother, Isabell, has Parkinson's Disease and enjoys the comfort of being able to utilize the services while staying in her home.

While medical care isn't provided, the company does offer companionship services, meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation, and help with personal care such as bathing and dressing.

"There are quite a few competitors out there, but in my eyes a lot of the people out there aren't doing the job as well as they could," said Stuckert, who lives in Wheatfield with his wife, Tina, and their son, Cal.

"Our goal is to be the No. 1 provider in Northwest Indiana. I believe we can accomplish that with great caregivers and a great office staff that responds quickly and appropriately to all client needs."

Stuckert's determination to succeed in business could be traced back to his success in football, swimming and baseball in high school. He earned 10 letters competing for the Trojans, including four in swimming.

By the age of 10, Stuckert was ranked second nationally in the 50-meter butterfly. He competed and placed all four years in the IHSAA state meet and was named an Honorable Mention All-American in the 200-yard medley relay in 1986.

In football, Stuckert helped lead Highland to the 1987 Class 5A state title game against Ben Davis and was named Honorable Mention All-State. As a baseball player, Stuckert hit .464 his senior year and was named First Team All-Lake Suburban Conference his final two years.

Stuckert went to Cornell and played football four years, but suffered a variety of injuries that limited his playing time as a tailback and on special teams.