Pacers hire Horizon League Commissioner Julie Roe Lach for executive role
Lach, a longtime leader in college athletics and Indianapolis sports, will oversee external relations and community engagement for Pacers Sports & Entertainment.
Pacers Sports & Entertainment announced a significant business hire on Thursday.
Julie Roe Lach will join the company as executive vice president of external relations and community engagement. She comes from the Horizon League, where she has worked since 2014 and served as commissioner since 2021.
“Julie brings an incredible track record of leadership, deep ties to Indianapolis and a passionate commitment to our community,” said Mel Raines, CEO of PS&E.
In her two-plus decades in college athletics, Lach has been involved in membership growth, TV rights, championships, finances, and more. Before joining the Horizon League, she spent more than 15 years at the NCAA — also headquartered in Indianapolis.
“I’m excited and grateful to join the Pacers Sports & Entertainment team,” Lach said. “PS&E is a unifying force for our city and state with inspiring basketball teams and a commitment to use the powerful platform of sports to make a difference in our communities.”
Lach, who also chairs the Indiana Sports Corp Board of Directors, will assist with the Horizon League’s transition through the end of the semester before beginning her new role with PS&E — just a few blocks away.
It’s an exciting time to join the organization:
The Pacers are coming off an NBA Finals appearance
Caitlin Clark is the face of the Fever and the WNBA
A shorthanded Fever roster came within five minutes of the WNBA Finals
Construction continues on a $78 million Fever sports performance center
The G League affiliate, the Noblesville Boom, begin a new era in Noblesville at a sparkling-new arena
“Julie is one of the reasons I was interested in taking the position here at IU Indy,” wrote Luke Bosso, director of athletics at IU Indy. “Her steadfast leadership and passion for athletics have made her someone I’ve truly enjoyed working with and learning from every day. It’s bittersweet that she’s leaving the league, but I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from her daily. I have no doubt she’ll be just as successful in her new role as she was at the league office.”
Meanwhile, the Horizon League Board of Directors will finalize plans for the commissioner search process during a meeting next week.