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.
2026 State of Sports presented by Indiana University
- Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026
- Location: JW Marriott (10 S West St, Indianapolis)
- Schedule:
- 3:30 PM – Doors Open
- 4:15–5:15 PM – Program
- 5:15–7:00 PM – Reception
- Tickets: $25 per person (individual and group tickets available; theater-style seating)
- Purchase Tickets: Link coming soon.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact Christina Toler at ctoler@indianasportscorp.org or (317) 237-5004.
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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.
Click to see the full list of Jim Morris Pathfinder Award Recipients.
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.
Click to see the full list of Inspiring Sports Storyteller Award Recipients
