Rick Fuson is in need of new business cards. That’s because the longtime Pacers employee has been named President of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. Jim Morris, the outgoing president slides back to Vice Chairman, the team announced on Tuesday.
Made official on Tuesday: Rick Fuson, an employee since 1984, was named President of Pacers Sports & Entertainment.
Fuson, 61, has been with the franchise since 1984 and has helped oversee hundreds, if not thousands, of events that have come through Bankers Life Fieldhouse, a building he oversaw construction of and helped open. He was promoted from Executive Senior VP in 2001 and named Chief Operating Officer, a title he will continue to have, in 2008.
“I am honored and humbled by this tremendous opportunity,” Fuson said in a statement. “We are extremely fortunate to have Jim Morris in the role of vice chairman. He is an exemplary representative of PS&E and a pillar of our community. I am grateful to have worked side by side with Jim, Donnie Walsh, Larry Bird, Kelly Krauskopf and the great people of PS&E for over 30 years and I so look forward to our future. There is no better owner in sports than Herb Simon and his commitment to our franchises and community makes this a great place to work and live.”
Morris, a longtime community leader and well-known person in these parts, had been president since 2008. He joined the organization the year before as a special consultant to then President and CEO Donnie Walsh.
“This is not about change but continuity,” owner Herb Simon said in a statement. “Jim Morris will maintain his important leadership role in fostering and sustaining relationships in the community and throughout the state of Indiana. Rick Fuson over many years has shown himself to be a brilliant manager and trusted steward of PS&E and all its assets and will continue to do so.”
It’s unclear at this point if Morris, who has his hands in on numerous things, wanted a more relaxed or flexible role. At age 71, and with three children and eight grandchildren, it’s easy to see him want to invest his time elsewhere.
Morris is a faithful man to Indianapolis and the organization — both the Pacers and the Fever. He is highly respected around the city and has ties with many city leaders.
Interviewing Rick Fuson at the Pacers’ annual ‘Come To Our House’ Thanksgiving meal.
Added Morris: “Pacers Sports & Entertainment was strong before I got here and I am proud of every piece of the operation: the ongoing success of the Pacers and the Indiana Fever, the multitude of entertainment events we host, the sales and marketing team, the finance department, our community relations efforts and Bankers Life Fieldhouse itself, which is operated so efficiently and magnificently. It is an absolute thrill to work for an extraordinary owner in Herb Simon, and with such gifted people as Rick Fuson, Larry Bird and Kelly Krauskopf. PS&E is in terrific hands.”
On the other hand, Fuson is due.
For him, it’s another notch up the ladder for a man that has invested so much in this organization. He might be the longest active employee within PS&E, a tremendous organization with so many special and talented people. Fuson, too, is well-respected, and he serves on the board of directors for Indianapolis Downtown, Inc., Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Indianapolis Urban League and Visit Indy.
As a life-long ambassador for this city, this surely is a meaningful moment for Fuson.
[…] to Scott Agness of Vigilant Sports, Fuson also serves on the board of directors for Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.; the Greater […]