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State of Sports

State of Sports is Indiana Sports Corp’s annual signature fundraiser and community-impact program. The event is open to public and celebrates the transformative role of sports across Indiana. Each year, 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.

Next Event 

2026 Event Date: To be announced 

Details about the next State of Sports, including date, location, honorees, and program information, will be shared here once available. Until then, you can stay connected and be among the first to receive updates. 

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Jim Morris Pathfinder Award 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Inspiring Sports Storyteller 

The Inspiring Sports Storyteller Award is given to journalists who share stories that showcase how the power of sports can inspire people to take action and invest in their community. Previous recipients include Gregg Doyel, Malcom Moran, Sage Steele, Rowdy Gaines, and Anne Marie Tiernon. 

2025 State of Sports

The 2025 event brought together a remarkable lineup of speakers, partners, and supporters for an evening that showcased the heart of Indiana’s sports culture. 

  • 2025 Jim Morris Pathfinder Award Recipient: Scott Davison 
  • 2025 Inspiring Sports Storyteller: Debbie Antonelli 
  • 2025 Volunteer of the Year: Nancy Canning 
  • 2025 Community Partner of the Year: Pacers Sports & Entertainment 
  • 2025 Corporate Partner of the Year: Group 1001 
  • Community impact stories shared on stage