National Basketball Association - Indiana Pacers
Pacers Foundation Outfits 14 IPS Teams
High School Teams Get New Uniforms
Courtesy of the Pacers Foundation, all seven
Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) high school boys’ and
girls’ varsity basketball teams will wear new game
uniforms in the 2003-04 season. Announced Monday at a
press conference at Conseco Fieldhouse, representatives
from each of the 14 teams sported the new uniforms that
reflect the distinctive partnership between IPS and
Pacers Sports & Entertainment. In an effort to make a
donation to IPS, the Pacers Foundation - on behalf of
Pacers Sports & Entertainment, the Indiana Pacers and
the Indiana Fever - initiated the design and purchase of
15 home and 15 road jerseys for all seven IPS boys’ and
girls’ high school varsity basketball teams. Jeff Foster
of the Pacers and Niele Ivey of the Fever made
individual donations. Reebok manufactured all the
uniforms, in conjunction with the partnership to benefit
IPS. A Pacers Foundation patch is included on each pair
of shorts.
“We are proud to assist IPS with a donation that is
not only a financial aid, but one that is practical and
displays the interest that the Pacers have always had in
supporting our community,” said PS&E CEO and President
Donnie Walsh. “It is a great association for Pacers
Sports & Entertainment, the IPS administration and all
of the student-athletes who will wear these uniforms.”
On hand for the ceremony and presentation of uniforms
with Walsh was Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson, an
advocate for partnership between the city’s professional
basketball franchises and the city’s public school
programs. Joining them were Foster and Ivey; IPS
Superintendent Dr. Duncan N.P. (Pat) Pritchett, Jr.; IPS
Athletic Director Curt Ervin; Pacers Foundation Board
President Cindy Simon Skjodt; Indiana Pacers President
of Basketball Operations Larry Bird; Indiana Fever Chief
Operating Officer Kelly Krauskopf; and representatives
from each of seven IPS high schools’ boys’ and girls’
varsity basketball teams.
"IPS is grateful to the Pacers Foundation for this
generous and much-needed donation,” said Ervin. “Our
student-athletes will not only hit the court looking
great, they'll have a renewed sense of confidence.”
"The Pacers Foundation, the Pacers and the Fever have
been tremendous supporters of our schools,” reiterated
Pritchett. “Our students truly appreciate knowing that
athletes they hold as role models are standing behind
them in support.”
Added Skjodt, “The Pacers Foundation has always
sought ways to support IPS and other youth-serving
resources in the community. These uniforms are the
perfect representation of our support for education, and
boys’ and girls’ basketball programs. It’s a winning
relationship for all involved.”
Since its inception in 1993, the Pacers Foundation
has awarded more than $3,000,000 in cash and in-kind
donations to organizations that serve youth in Indiana.
The Pacers Foundation is dedicated to improving the
lives of Indiana’s young people by building individual
and corporate partnerships that will provide assistance
for projects that benefit Indiana’s youth.
This article was taken from
www.nba.com/pacers/. All rights
reserved.
|
