INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Sports Corp announced today that it will recognize Scott Davison, chairman, president and CEO of OneAmerica Financial with the distinguished Jim Morris Pathfinder Award at the 2025 State of Sports presented by Indiana University taking place on November 13 at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis.
The Jim Morris Pathfinder Award, presented annually since 1988 by Indiana Sports Corp, aims to recognize individuals who, through sport, have made a commitment and impact to improving the lives of others and inspiring change and action in their communities.
“Indiana Sports Corp is honored to present Scott Davison with this year’s Jim Morris Pathfinder Award,” said Patrick Talty, president of Indiana Sports Corp. “Scott has been a tireless champion for our community and for the sport of swimming, most recently guiding the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming as co-chair of the Local Organizing Committee. His leadership and dedication embody the spirit of this award. His impact on Indianapolis, Hoosiers, and beyond will be felt for years to come.”
Davison’s lifelong dedication to the sport of swimming has left a lasting impact on Indiana and beyond. A former collegiate swimmer at Middlebury College and longtime volunteer coach, Davison has served in leadership roles for major events, including the 2004 FINA World Swimming Championships. Most recently he served as co-chair of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming Local Organizing Committee, which brought unprecedented crowds and impact to Indianapolis. Together with his wife Lorraine, he was recognized with the USA Swimming Foundation Impact Award in 2024 for their sponsorship of statewide “learn to swim” initiatives, helping 50,000 Hoosiers gain lifesaving skills. His efforts to restore the IU Natatorium and ensure its continued legacy as a world-class venue underscore his deep commitment to advancing the sport and providing opportunities for future generations.
Beyond the pool, Davison has distinguished himself as chairman, president, and CEO of OneAmerica Financial, where his leadership has expanded opportunity and strengthened community ties. He has guided OneAmerica Financial to national recognition for inclusion initiatives and fostered innovative workforce development programs such as the award-winning OneAmerica Financial Pathways Program. In addition to being honored by institutions like IU Indianapolis, Marian University and The American College of Financial Services, Davison has played key roles on boards including the American Council of Life Insurers, Indiana University Health and the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership. His vision and service continue to elevate Indianapolis as a model for blending business leadership, civic responsibility, and community impact. Davison makes personal charitable contributions to numerous nonprofits both locally and nationally, with gifts that have created significant impact.
State of Sports is an annual fundraiser and community-impact program that celebrates the transformative role of sports across Indiana. New this year, tickets are available for individuals at just $25, the lowest price Indiana Sports Corp has ever offered. State of Sports serves as a platform to highlight the organization’s mission to enrich the lives of Hoosiers through sports, while recognizing the individuals and organizations whose contributions have made lasting impact. The 2025 program will feature powerful storytelling, inspirational moments, and a forward-looking vision of how sports will continue to power the state and its communities.
Within the past few decades, the Pathfinder Award has been granted to numerous standout recipients including Michael Phelps, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Jeff and Karen Saturday, John Wooden, Jeff Gordon, Larry Bird, Governor Mitch Daniels, Tony Dungy, Peyton Manning, Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson, Jim Nantz, Mel Simon, Herb Simon, Cindy Simon Skjodt, the Jim Irsay Family, and Dick Vitale, among others.
The award was renamed in 2024 to honor Jim Morris, a 1999 Pathfinder Award recipient, who is celebrated as one of Indiana’s most influential civic leaders. Over a remarkable sixty-year career, Morris profoundly shaped the state's sports, economic, social, and cultural landscape through his work in the community.
For more information about the 2025 State of Sports presented by Indiana University, visit IndianaSportsCorp.org/StateOfSports.