INDIANAPOLIS - The annually presented Pathfinder Award has been renamed in honor of Indianapolis civic leader Jim Morris, Indiana Sports Corp announced Tuesday during their annual State of Sports presented by Indiana University.
The Jim Morris Pathfinder Award will be presented to individuals who, like Morris, have made a commitment and impact to improving the lives of others and inspiring change and action in their communities through sport.
Morris, a 1999 Pathfinder Award recipient, 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.
Morris played an instrumental role in establishing Indiana Sports Corp, developing Market Square Arena, raising funds for the Hoosier Dome, and leading Indianapolis to its reputation as one of the best host cities in the world. Morris served as Chief of Staff to former Indianapolis Mayor Richard Lugar before moving on from Lugar's office to the Lilly Endowment in 1973, rising to the level of president in 1984 and holding that position until 1988. He went on to become the chair of the Indianapolis Water Co. from 1989 through 2002 and then the executive director of the World Food Programme from 2002-2007. He was also the United Nations Secretary General's Special Envoy for the humanitarian crisis in South Africa during that period. He returned to Indianapolis in 2007 to join Pacers Sports and Entertainment ascending to the position of president and then as vice chairman of the organization.
"Jim’s impact on our community was immeasurable. Because of his decades of civic-focused work, generations of Hoosiers will experience the fruits of his efforts anytime they attend an event in Indianapolis,” Indiana Sports Corp President Patrick Talty said. “The Jim Morris Pathfinder Award will continue Jim’s legacy by honoring those who demonstrate his dedication to making a difference through sports.”
Rick Fuson, former CEO of PS&E, was honored as the first recipient of the newly titled award at Tuesday’s Indiana Sports Corp State of Sports.
Fuson, who succeeded Morris as president of PS&E in 2014, played a crucial role alongside Morris in shaping Indianapolis’ sports strategy for economic development. His contributions include leadership roles in events such as the 1985 NBA All-Star Game, the 1987 Pan Am Games, the 2004 FINA World Swimming Championships, and NBA All-Star 2024, all of which showcased Indianapolis on the global stage.
Fuson served as Board Chair of Indiana Sports Corp from 2019-2022 and was a key factor in bringing the 2021 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship to Indianapolis and Central Indiana. His work embodies Jim Morris's vision and drive to see opportunity in its largest possible context and to inspire our community to reach new levels through sport.
For more information about the first Jim Morris Pathfinder Award recipient, Rick Fuson, click here.
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