Rick Fuson

Rick Fuson (born 1953) has been the chief operating officer and president of the Indiana Pacers since 2014.[1] Fuson is also a chairman of the Indiana Sports Corp board of directors.[2]

Rick Fuson
Indiana Pacers
PositionChief Operating Officer & President
LeagueNBA
Personal information
BornIndianapolis, Indiana
Career information
High schoolArlington High School
CollegeIndiana University

Fuson has been awarded the Indianapolis Business Journal's "Who's Who in Hospitality", "Who's Who in Sports" and "40 Under 40" (1993), and the Indianapolis Ambassadors 1988 Community Service Award.[3]

Fuson is a member of the International Association of Assembly Managers, active with the Indianapolis Fellowship of Christian Athletes, chairman of the board for Indiana Sports Corp, and serves on the board of directors for Indianapolis Downtown, Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Indianapolis Urban League and Visit Indy.

He and his wife, Karen, who manages 60 newspapers for Gannett, reside in Brown County, Indiana. They have three children and two grandchildren.

Early life and career

Rick's father, Wayne Fuson Sr., was the sports editor for the Indianapolis News.[4] His parents lived in Terre Haute and Clay County before relocating to Indianapolis and giving birth to Rick.

In 1971, Fuson graduated from Arlington High School. Fuson earned his degree in political science at Indiana University in 1975. While attending college, he played on the Indiana Hoosiers football team for two years under John Pont. After graduating from IU, Fuson moved to California and worked on a Lilly Endowment grant. Fuson went back to Indiana and sold bulldozers for McAllister Machinery Company for nearly ten years. His dad linked him up with Larry Conrad, the former secretary of state of Indiana and spokesperson for the Simon family (Herbert Simon and Melvin Simon) who bought the Pacers in the 1983-84 season. Bob Salyers (former GM and president of the Pacers) hired him.

Indiana Pacers

Fuson began working for the Pacers organization in 1984 as director of special events. Fuson oversaw the development and move to the Conseco Fieldhouse.

Fuson worked for Donnie Walsh and Jim Morris. Fuson was promoted to COO/president in 2014 when Morris changed position to the vice chairman role.[5] CEO Herb Simon said "Rick Fuson over many years has shown himself to be a brilliant manager and trusted steward of Pacers Sports & Entertainment."

Fuson has been influential in orchestrating events across the city, including those at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Market Square Arena, and RCA Dome.[6] He was instrumental in hosting the 1985 NBA All-Star Game, 2012 Super Bowl, 1991/97/2000/06/10 NCAA Final Four, 2002/04/06/08/09/10/11 Big Ten Basketball tournament, 2004 World Swimming Championships, 2002 FIBA World Basketball Championships, 1987 Pan American Games, 1991 World Gymnastics Championships, 1988 Indianapolis Zoo, White River Park State Games, and 2001 World Police & Fire Games.

Fuson and the Pacers will be hosting the 2024 NBA All-Star Game for the first time since 1985.[7] NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said, “I want to thank Herb Simon, Steve Simon, Rick Fuson and the entire Pacers organization."[8][9]

See also

References
  1. "Rick Fuson – President & COO at Pacers Sports & Entertainment". THE ORG. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  2. "Rick Fuson Elected Indiana Sports Corp Chairman of the Board". Indiana Pacers. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  3. "Fuson to Lead Pacers Sports & Entertainment". www.insideindianabusiness.com. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  4. "Rick Fuson Reflects on His Thirty Years as a Pacer". April 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  5. "Fuson Named President/COO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment; Morris To Become Vice Chairman". Indiana Pacers. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  6. Lindquist, David. "Here's why Bankers Life Fieldhouse is having a huge year for concerts". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  7. "NBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis postponed until 2024 as officials work to revise 2021 plan". Fox 59. 2020-11-25. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  8. "Pacers president says city will 'break new ground' hosting NBA All-Star Game". Indianapolis Business Journal. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  9. "NBA All-Star 2021 in Indianapolis Postponed to 2024". Indiana Pacers. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.