Pacers Sports and Entertainment Vice Chairman Jim Morris Passes Away at Age 81
Pacers Sports & Entertainment announced Saturday morning that James “Jim” Morris, longtime civic leader and vice chairman of the company, has died. He was 81 years old. A release from Pacers Sports says Morris joined in 2007 following a long career of global leadership and considers Morris to be one of the “most influential and impactful leaders in state history.” His impact reaches further than Indiana, the company says. Morris served as the executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme from 2002-2007. While with the program, he led the agency to feed more than 100 million people in 80 countries.
The Pacers also say that Morris was appointed as Special Envoy for South Africa by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, “leading an effort to bring UN and humanitarian agencies together to address issues affecting more than 15 million people.” He also served in various other organizations, including UNICEF, the National Advisory Board for the Boy Scouts of America, the Riley Children’s Foundation, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway board of directors, the Eiteljorg Museum, and more. “Jim will be sorely missed by all of us, and we will keep him and his family in our prayers now and always,” Herbert Simon, owner of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, said in a release. It wasn’t clear what led to Morris’ death.
Indiana University Baseball Prepares for the Major League Baseball Draft
A contingent of Indiana Baseball players are prepared to hear their name called as the 2024 MLB First Year Player Draft Started Sunday Night in Arlington, Texas. The draft will be held simultaneously with MLB All-Star weekend at the home of the defending World Series Champions, the Texas Rangers. There has been no shortage of representation from IU in the MLB Draft with the program turning itself into a player development powerhouse over the past 15 years. In total, 107 unique players have been drafted, dating all the way back to 1966. IU has two players picked in 2023 in relief pitcher Craig Yoho (8th Round) and shortstop Phillip Glasser (10th Round).
Among the players expected to be selected include three-year everyday starters in infielder Brock Tibbitts and outfielder Carter Mathison. The two players combined to appear in 350 career games for the Hoosiers in three seasons. Outfielder Nick Mitchell, who transferred to IU for his junior season, is a projected top-10 round pick with his plus speed and outstanding bat-to-ball skills. Junior right-handed pitcher Luke Sinnard, who broke the single-season strikeout record in 2023, missed all of the 2024 season but is expected to be picked early in the proceedings. He pitched for scouts in Bloomington and made a trip to the MLB Draft Combine where he was a standout with his spin rate and velocity numbers.
A trio draft-eligible sophomores will likely hear their names called during the three-day draft. Pitchers Connor Foley and Brayden Risedorph and shortstop Tyler Cerny are all on the older side of their grade, making them eligible for this year’s draft. As sophomores, the three players hold higher leverage and can decide on whether to return to Bloomington for the 2025 season. Additional IU standouts, including senior pitchers Ty Bothwell and Drew Buhr and junior third baseman Josh Pyne could be picked near the backend of the MLB Draft. The draft, which was shortened to just 20 rounds following the COVID-19 pandemic, Started Sunday Night and continues this afternoon and will end Tomorrow with over 600 selections. Since head coach Jeff Mercer took over the program in 2019, 20 unique players have been drafted. 10 different Hoosiers have been picked in the top-10 rounds including outfielder Matt Gorski (2-57), who was picked by Pittsburgh and now plays in Triple-A for the Indianapolis Indians.
Indiana Fever handle a shorthanded Phoenix Mercury in Gainbridge Fieldhouse
The Indiana Fever (10-14) earned a wire-to-wire win against the Phoenix Mercury, 95-86, on Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the last home game for Indiana before this year’s Olympic break. In the win, Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark and NaLyssa Smith became the first trio of teammates in WNBA history with a double-double and at least two blocked shots each in the same regular season game. Boston ended with 21 points and 13 rebounds, Clark added 20 points and tied a franchise record with 13 assists for the third consecutive game and NaLyssa Smith recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds for her 27th career double double. Fever guard and WNBA All-Star Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with a season-high 28 points on 11-of-19 shooting and Boston’s eight offensive rebounds was a career-high. Clark made history again Friday night as she set a franchise record for most assists recorded in a single quarter when she dished out seven in the first quarter. Clark penciled in her eighth double-double of the season and fifth consecutive double-double in points and assists. Former Indiana University Standout Grace Berger did not play. Berger has played in just 8 games this season and she has not played since June 21 when she appeared for a minute at Atlanta,
Indiana outscored the Mercury in the first three quarters on Friday night. A strong start from a 21-10 run in the first quarter, coupled with a 19-8 run in the third quarter, positioned Indiana to maintain a lead for the entirety of the game. Indiana outscored Phoenix in paint points, 60-28, and outrebounded the Mercury, 42-30. For Phoenix (12-11), four Mercury players were out with injuries during Friday night’s game, including usual starting guards, Diana Taurasi and Natasha Cloud. Additionally, Mercury center Brittney Griner suffered an injury approximately four minutes into the second quarter, and she did not return to the game. Four Mercury players scored in double figures, led by Mercury guard Kahleah Copper’s game-high 36 points. Copper scored 20 points in the final quarter alone, and Friday marked her second consecutive game scoring at least 30 points. Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham trailed with 21 points which included a season-high five made 3-point field goals, six rebounds and four assists. Forwards Mikiah Herbert Harrigan and reserve Natasha Mack both tallied 10 points each and together, totaled 16 rebounds, four assists and four blocks.
Indianapolis to Host the 2028 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship
The Circle City scores another big win. The NCAA announced Friday that Indy will host the NCAA women’s national championship in 2028. Indianapolis was also named as a committee chair. It was announced Thursday that Indianapolis will also host the 2026 Men’s Final Four, and the Division II and Division III men’s basketball championship games. All three divisions will be crowned over the same weekend from March 31- April 2. This is the city’s third time hosting the event. Indianapolis previously hosted the Women’s Final Four, with IU Indy and Horizon League serving as host in 2016 and in Dallas last year. The games are scheduled to take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Former Indiana University Volleyball Players Paula Cerame and Kaley Rammelsberg Sign with the Columbus Fury
Indiana Volleyball alumnae Kaley Rammelsberg (2021-23) and Paula Cerame (2021-22) will be reunited as professional players with the Columbus Fury in the second year of the Pro Volleyball Federation. The two were officially announced following the beginning of the new fiscal year on July 1. Rammelsberg and Cerame both joined the Hoosiers as transfers ahead of the 2021 season. In their time in Bloomington, each was instrumental in sparking a run of team success not seen in over a decade. As the starting libero for two years, Cerame totaled 994 digs and was a mainstay in the lineup.
After missing time with injury in 2022, Rammelsberg fully recovered to become one of the most dominant middle blockers in the entire conference. She hit .365 as a graduate student in 2023, the second-best single season mark in IU history. She finished her IU career hitting .329 with over 600 kills. She was a Second Team All-Big Ten selection in 2023. This will be Cerame’s second team in the PVF after debuting with the Orlando Valkyries in 2023. Rammelsberg began her professional career in Finland and will join Columbus to open her pro account in the United States. The two will feature on a roster that includes Janice Leao (Miami), Tori (Dilfer) Stringer (Louisville) and Jill Gillen (Arkansas).
Indiana University Football Announces its Representees for Big Ten Football Media Days in Indianapolis
Indiana Football on Thursday announced its representatives for 2024 Big Ten media days. Along with first-year coach Curt Cignetti, the program will be represented by running back Justice Ellison, linebacker Aiden Fisher and offensive lineman Mike Katic. Big Ten media days is schedule for July 23-25 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. The Hoosiers are scheduled to speak on July 25, with exact times to be announced. Listed at 5-foot-9 and 211 pounds, Ellison joined Indiana this offseason as a transfer from Wake Forest. In 2023, Ellison was second on the team in both rushing yards and attempts. He ran the ball 120 times for 573 yards and one touchdown, good for 4.6 yards per carry. Ellison was a third-team All-ACC running back in 2022, generating 707 yards and six touchdowns. He also ran the ball for 541 yards in 2021 and earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors after a win over Louisville.
Fisher is one of 13 transfers coming with Cignetti from James Madison to Indiana. A 6-foot-1, 232-pound linebacker, Fisher was part of a James Madison defense that led the nation in run defense, ranked 18th in points allowed per game (18.5) and 29th in total yards allowed per game (328.6). Fisher led James Madison with 108 total tackles, including seven games with at least nine tackles, plus eight pass breakups and six tackles for loss. He made the All-Sun Belt third team as a sophomore, and he joins the Hoosiers with two years of eligibility. Katic is one of the three players that has been with the program since 2019, along with safety Josh Sanguinetti and tight end Trey Walker, making them the longest-tenured Hoosiers. Katic was a team captain in 2023, and he has appeared in 39 career games with 37 starts.
Indianapolis to Host the 2026 Men’s Basketball Final Four along with DII, DIII and NIT Championship Games
Indianapolis has a date to the dance — the Big Dance, that is. The NCAA announced Thursday that the Circle City will host the 2026 Men’s Final Four and the Division II and III men’s basketball championship games. Indianapolis will also host the semifinals and finals of the National Initiation Tournament, with all five games scheduled the same weekend as the Men’s Final Four. The Final Four will take place April 4 and 6, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium, an announcement that was first made in 2018. It will be Indy’s ninth time as host of the men’s Final Four. The Division II and III championship games will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The semifinals and finals of the NIT will be played at Hinkle Fieldhouse on April 2, with the title game scheduled for Sunday, April 5, at a time and location to be determined.
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