Indiana is the basketball capital of the world, and at the heart of it all is Indianapolis. The city is home to the Indianapolis men’s basketball team the Indiana Pacers, and over the years their basketball dribbles have become the pulse of Indianapolis sports and Indy culture. The Indiana Pacers play ball at Conseco Fieldhouse, located on Pennsylvania Street in downtown Indianapolis.
The Indiana Pacers have a long running history, beginning as an American Basketball Association team in 1967. Their old stomping grounds were on the Indiana State Fairgrounds inside the Pepsi Coliseum.
Mascotts Boomer and Bowser, a cat and a dog dressed in Indiana Pacers uniform, perform stunts and tricks at each home game. The popular and enthusiastic cheerleaders for the Indiana Pacers are called the Pacemates. They perform at half-time shows and other Indianapolis events.
The Indiana Pacers name came naturally to the team, because it relates to Indiana’s deep racing tradition and the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race (Indy 500). Original owners agreed that a link to Indianapolis racing would bring added attention to the team. In 1974 the Indiana Pacers outgrew their home at the State Fairgrounds, and upgraded to the new Market Square Arena. Just two years later the team became a part of the NBA. For 25 years the Indiana Pacers made history at Market Square Arena, but in 1999 it was time for another upgrade. Conseco Fieldhouse has been their home ever since, and the Indiana Pacers share their court with another Indianapolis basketball pro-team, the WNBA’s Indiana Fever. The new Lucas Oil Stadium, where the Indianapolis Colts kickoff, was modeled after historic Indiana fieldhouses, including Conseco, the Pepsi Coliseum and Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Many basketball legends have sported Indiana Pacers blue and gold, but only five of them have sacred retired jersey numbers. Indiana Pacer player Roger Brown was a talented forward who played from 1967 to 1974, the number 35 was retired in his honor. Mel Daniels wore the number 34, and he played as a center from 1968 to 1974. The number 30 was retired for George McGinnis, who played two stints with the Pacers from 1971 to 1975 and again from 1980 to 1982. The next player to receive a retired number was three-point hotshot Reggie Miller. From 1987 to 2005 Reggie wore the number 31. The only coach in Indiana Pacers history to be honored with a retired number was Bobby “Slick” Leonard. He coined the catchy phrase “Boom Baby!” The number 529 represents the total of career wins earned when Slick coached the Indiana Pacers from 1968 to 1980.
The Indiana Pacers have been awing Hoosier fans for years, and the tradition is still going strong. Showing up to root for the home team is a major Indianapolis attraction.
Indiana Pacers
125 S Pennsylvania St
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317.917.2500
For game tickets and schedules, visit here.
