Streaming Sports at 74: Get to Know Steve from French Lick

Steve Mills, a self-described “country boy from French Lick,” witnessed many changes in his hometown over the years.  While he does enjoy taking part in some older traditions, like pumping gas for customers, he also embraces new technology — especially the kind that allows him to stream TV so he can watch his favorite sports, connect with others, and live in the town he holds dear, French Lick, Indiana.

Watch Steve’s video interview at the end of this post.

Streaming sports makes life sweeter

Steve’s a fan of IndyCar, NASCAR and the Indianapolis Colts. In fact, he’s been to all but three Indianapolis 500 races since 1974. And he’s loved NASCAR since he went to his first race back in the 80s. Since he can’t go to every race, that’s when streaming comes in handy.

“I do like auto racing, that’s my favorite pastime,” said Steve. “A lot of times I will listen to [races] on my phone with the IndyCar Radio Network, which is worldwide, so you can be about anywhere and listen to the race if you’re not at home watching it on TV.”

As a Smithville Fast Fiber Internet customer, Steve can stream without lagging or delays. When he switched from cable to streaming, it made a big impact on how he could access content live or on-demand whether he’s home or away.

“There’s no comparison between streaming TV and cable. I’ve had them both in my lifetime. The cable was OK when that’s all you had, but streaming TV has changed it all,” Steve said.

“I’m an Indianapolis Colts fan,” Steve said. “If I don’t get a chance to watch the game, I can always go to YouTube later that day and see 25 to 30 minutes of the highlights, so I feel like I’ve watched the game.”

With streaming, he can enjoy more of his favorite hobby, cheer on the Colts, or watch a free movie on-demand. Steve said it wasn’t difficult to make the switch and would encourage others to try it. “I’m not saying my daughter didn’t have to help me a little bit with certain things, but most of the time I figured it all out myself,” said Steve.

Curious about streaming? Read Free Streaming With Pluto TV on the Smithville Blog.

Connecting with the community at the pump

Steve’s love of racing and cars extends to his job — for the past 31 years he’s been an attendant at the full-service gas station off IN-56 in the heart of French Lick. The station is now an ARCO station, but it was previously White’s Quality Auto Services. If you stop by when Steve’s working, he’s happy to pump your gas, clean your windshield, even check your oil and tires if you want. “We offer what we call ‘old-time service,’” Steve said.

He enjoys connecting with customers, whether they are out-of-towners or regulars. Helping customers with their gas isn’t the only part of the job that Steve appreciates, but also the personal connection.

“If I just cheer up one person a day, I feel like I’ve done my job,” said Steve.

Staying connected to family and friends

While some of Steve’s family members live in town, others are far away. Through his reliable internet and social media, including Facebook and Instagram, he maintains a close relationship with friends and family regardless of where they live.

“A lot of people knock social media, but overall, I think it does more good than bad. It’s helping families to stay together. I’ve got one aunt left, and she lives in Palm Harbor, Florida. But I talk to her every other day on Facebook,” said Steve.

French Lick and West Baden: fiber-connected towns in rural Indiana

French Lick and West Baden are known for their small-town charm and world-class attractions, including the French Lick Resort that features the iconic West Baden Springs Hotel and French Lick Casino, and the legendary Pete Dye and Donald Ross golf courses. Basketball fans also cherish French Lick as the hometown of superstar Larry Bird. (In fact, Steve attended the same high school as Larry!) It’s a small but progressive township with a thriving tourism economy.

Smithville supports this growth by keeping people and businesses connected. Since 1958, Smithville has been providing communication services in French Lick and West Baden, first providing telephone service, then DSL internet and fiber internet. In 2010, Smithville began bringing Fast Fiber Internet to much of the town, increasing the download and upload speeds for residents and businesses.

Steve has been a Smithville customer since 2003. “We were very excited when Smithville Fiber came to French Lick, knowing that this Fiber was going to increase the speeds of our internet and service,” Steve recalls. “It was going to better our community when it was done — and it has.”

Steve sees the impact of fast, reliable internet for business customers firsthand, because the ARCO gas station where he works runs on Smithville Fiber Internet. One benefit is that customers’ credit card transactions are processed quickly. “The faster you can conduct the business you’ve got to do, the better for you and your business,” said Steve.

Bright Communities, Bright Futures

After growing up in French Lick, Steve joined the U.S. Army when he was 20 and served for three years. He describes the experience as one of greatest times in his life. Yet, after his service, something called him back home.

“I had a really good job in [the Army.] They offered me $5,000 to stay in for three more years – and in 1973 that was quite a bit of money! I though about it, but there was this drive in me to want to go back home to French Lick. I can’t explain it. But something told me, ‘You need to go back home to French Lick.’ And that’s what I did, and I don’t regret it to this day,” Steve recalls. “I like this little hometown atmosphere, it’s a good safe community to live in,” he said.

While he lives in a small town, with Smithville he’s connected to what matters most: family, friends, community, and of course, racing.   

“Let me tell you why I enjoy being with Smithville: They’ve been in our area for a long time. They’re like part of our community,” Steve said.

Smithville Fast Fiber lights up more opportunities for Hoosiers and in turn, Hoosiers light up our communities.

Watch for our next Bright Communities spotlight soon.