George Hill, the ‘Hometown Hero,’ will receive the Major Marshall Taylor award Friday at the Circle City Classic Coaches luncheon held at the NCAA Headquarters in Indianapolis for the first time.
George Hill talks with campers at his basketball camp a few years ago,
Hill, who attended both Broad Ripple High School and IUPUI, is heading into his fifth season with the Indiana Pacers. He was selected “for his commitment to the community, his explanatory attitude, and the virtue and value that he has,” according to a spokesman.
Hill is frequently in the community, many times without any publicity. He visits with students, gives extra shoes and school essentials, and even a few years ago he handed out Christmas gifts that he purchased out of the back of his SUV.
Previous Major Marshall Taylor award winners include Tamika Catchings, Tony Dungy, Florence Griffith Joyner, Clark Kellogg, and coach Ray Crowe. The award has been given out for 28 straight years.
The 32nd annual Circle City Classic is going on this weekend in downtown Indianapolis, and Hill will have a small role. He will also serve as a co-Grand Marshal for the parade on Saturday (10:00 am – noon) with Bryshere Yazshawn Gray, known as Yazz The Greatest on the FOX primetime show, Empire.
The weekend then is highlight Saturday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium, with a football game between Central State University vs. Kentucky State University.