Construction underway on 'The Jim'
Indiana University held a groundbreaking ceremony on Feb. 19 for James T. Morris Arena at IU Indy, named for the late Jim Morris — who was instrumental on the Indy sports scene today.
Coming soon: The Jim.
That’s how several speakers affectionately referred to James T. Morris Arena, which Indiana University officially held a groundbreaking for on Wednesday. A few hundred people — from IU Board of Trustees, to Jaguars coaches and players, to community leaders — gathered inside Eskenazi Hall, which is about 100 yards from where two construction vehicles were parked on the site of this new building.
It was approved by the Board of Trustees in November and now construction is underway. The facility, costing $110 million, is expected to completed by the end of 2026.
If you remember the great RCA Tennis Championships that were once held in downtown Indianapolis, it will be built on that arena that is just grassland.
Under the leadership of athletic director Luke Bosso, it will be the new home for IU Indy volleyball as well as the men’s and women’s basketball programs — which currently hold games inside The Jungle at the nearby natatorium.
USA Track & Field is also signed on to be a tenet.
The arena is named in honor of Jim Morris, who passed away last July. He was the ultimate connector and most recently served as an executive at Pacers Sports & Entertainment for more than a decade.
“I think there's no one whose love for this great institution could surpass Jim Morris,” said IU president Pamela Whitten. “His contributions touched countless lives and it's only fitting that we honor his legacy with a facility that's going to inspire future generations of students and athletes and of course fans of IU Indianapolis.
“Moreover, just as Jim played a pivotal role in creating the downtown Indianapolis sports district, the James T. Morris arena will play a big role in enhancing it by hosting events and other large-scale gatherings. This arena is going to contribute significantly to the local economy, it's going to create jobs and it's going to boost tourism.”
The new arena will include:
4,500 seats
Team locker rooms
Training facilities and offices for IU Indy athletics
USA Track & Field headquarters
A significant portion of the seating will be retractable, which allows for greater flexibility to host many more events — such as high school volleyball and wrestling, and other recreational activities.
IU is contributing $21 million toward the project, and state appropriations are providing $89 million in funding.
“We hope it will serve as a catalyst for further development and revitalization making downtown Indianapolis an even more vibrant and dynamic destination,” Whitten added.
After his death, the Pacers hung a banner in the rafters of Gainbridge Fieldhouse to honor him and celebrate his contributions.
Months later, Pacers owner Herb Simon singled out Morris in his Hall of Fame speech last October, sharing how Morris played a pivotal role in the Simon brothers purchasing the franchise back in 1983.
“In a last-ditch effort to save the team, Jim Morris, as a spokesman, the mayor of Indianapolis, and several city leaders, came to see my brother Mel and I about buying the team and keeping it in the city. They thought we'd be the perfect people to do it, and we were so honored that they came to us for help. As I recall, the meeting only lasted 20 or 30 minutes. At the end of it, we owned the team. It's incredible. It's hard to imagine.”
Morris was a proud IU alum and a former chair of the Board of Trustees. That title currently belongs to Quinn Buckner, the longtime TV analyst for Pacers games.
As he began his remarks, Buckner called his father, coach Bob Knight, and Morris the most influential people he’s had in his life.
“He was a great connector, a big-time thinker, a big thinker, and an eternal optimist as we all know,” he said. “I'm sure you realize over the course of this ceremony, everyone here has been affected in one way or another by Jim's services and unparalleled commitment to the city of Indianapolis, the state of Indiana, and of Indiana University.
“In fact, Jim was holding the shovel when IU broke ground on this campus over 50 years ago.”
There were several other executives from PS&E on hand: Mel Raines, Joey Graziano, Kenzi Inman, Eddie White, and Erin Wittern.
Raines, who has been impactful on the sports scene in Indy for a decade, took over as CEO of PS&E last June.
“If Jim were here, he would have loved this,” Raines said. “I think he would have told the story right around now about the gentleman who leaves during the speech because his hair had grown so long he needed a haircut from one of the guys.”
Morris enjoyed good conversation, learning, and helping whenever possible.
“When Jim believed in a vision, when he understood just how transformative a project or initiative could be for Indianapolis, there was absolutely no stopping him,” Raines continued. “Jim used to say that a world-class institution ought to have a world-class arena on its campus, and he was right.”
Having this facility will be huge for the school, as well as the downtown. It’ll certainly help in recruiting as high school players see an elite locker room and a home court on campus that students can support and be proud of.
It will also serve downtown. It could absolutely be used, for instance, for high school state finals, graduations, or hosting visiting NBA teams who need a gym. (Already, they use The Jungle for morning shootarounds when there is conflict at The Fieldhouse.)
Following the speakers, a reception was held for those in attendance. And there was an honorary groundbreaking outside, in the cold, where the building will sit (as seen at the top of the story).
“This took several years with countless hours of conversations and discussions,” Raines added. “And while I was not in the middle of those back and forth discussions, I often, as I'm sure many of you, got an earful from Jim on the significance of this project. And admittedly, I was not sure it would get across the finish line.
“But shame on me for breaking the cardinal rule of Indianapolis. Never for a second doubt the relentlessness of our dear friend Jim Morris. So it is fitting we get to celebrate today both this exciting new era for IU Indianapolis, but also the legacy of Jim, who loved both Indianapolis and IU more than just about anything else.”
Indeed, Morris’ legacy lives on — both in spirit and now with a sports facility he’d be proud of.
Other Speakers
Joe Hogsett, Indianapolis Mayor
Julie Roe Lach, Commissioner of the Horizon League
Max Siegel, CEO of USA Track & Field
Latha Ramchand, EVP and Chancellor of IU Indy
Kate White, sophomore volleyball player at IU Indy
(Disclosure: I’m in my 10th season as the play-by-play voice of Jaguars women’s basketball with games airing on ESPN+)