It continues to be a successful year for those at 125 S. Pennsylvania Street in Indianapolis.
Pacers Sports & Entertainment has been named the inaugural recipient of the Community Partner of the Year award, which was handed out Thursday at Indiana Sports Corp's annual State of Sports celebration.
This award is one of three newly-created annual awards to recognition organizations and individuals who elevate the community.
Last year, Indiana Sports Corp named its prestigious Pathfinder award after former team executive Jim Morris.
And this year, longtime Fever TV and radio analyst Debbie Antonelli was celebrated as she received the Inspiring Sports Storyteller award.
PS&E was highlighted for its success over the last two years hosting NBA and WNBA All-Star Weekends, the Pacers' run to the 2025 NBA Finals, and the Fever continuing to help elevate the success of the WNBA.
The organization has broadened support for women’s sports, celebrated community icons like Tamika Catchings, and invested in initiatives that address food insecurity and neighborhood renewal. Their All-Star Cure initiative during WNBA All-Star 2025 underscored the reach of that work, with more than 400 women donating breast tissue to advance cancer research.
“We are incredibly honored to be recognized as Indiana Sports Corp’s inaugural Community Partner of the Year," said Mel Raines, CEO of PS&E. "
“At Pacers Sports & Entertainment, our commitment to community is at the heart of everything we do, and this award is a meaningful reflection of the collective effort of our entire organization. From initiatives like Drive & Dish, which addresses food insecurity, and State of Play, which revitalizes local basketball courts, to the legacy projects and community events we proudly hosted as part of the NBA and WNBA All-Star games, our goal is to uplift neighborhoods and invest in the future of Indiana.
"This recognition is a testament to our team’s passion for service, and we look forward to continuing to make a positive difference by leaning into the power of sport to elevate our communities.”
Group 1001, the parent company of Gainbridge (as in Gainbridge Fieldhouse), was named Corporate Partner of the Year by Indiana Sports Corp. And Nancy Canning was volunteer of the year.
Scott Agness is the longest-tenured Pacers beat reporter. He enters his 14th season covering the team and he's been around The Fieldhouse since 2003. He runs Fieldhouse Files — covering the Pacers, Boom, and Fever — and hosts "The Fieldhouse Files Podcast."