INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana High School Athletic Association announced an agreement this evening with the Indiana Pacers (NBA) and the Indiana Fever (WNBA) to become the presenting sponsors of the IHSAA boys and girls basketball state tournaments.

The announcement was made this evening prior to the Pacers‐Brooklyn Nets game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Fox Sports Indiana.

The agreement begins immediately and continues through the 2016 state tournaments with the Pacers and Fever sponsoring and supporting both high school basketball state tournaments from the start of sectionals through the state championship games.

The Pacers and Fever are believed to be the first professional basketball franchises in the country to partner with a state high school association and its tournaments. The Indianapolis Colts have been the presenting sponsor of the IHSAA state football tournament since 2009.

“The IHSAA is extremely pleased to join forces with the Indiana Pacers and the Indiana Fever in the promotion of education‐based athletics in our state,” said IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox. “Our partnership with these two storied franchises bolsters our commitment to ensuring that basketball remains an iconic mark of our state. I salute the leadership and vision of these two outstanding
organizations in making this sponsorship a reality.”

“Around the nation, the state of Indiana is known for many things,” said Pacers Sports & Entertainment President Jim Morris. “Not the least of which is the sight of basketball backboards in driveways, on barns and in playgrounds. Basketball, on all levels, is so important to our state. And the Pacers are very proud to partner with the IHSAA to help make high school basketball as great as it can be.”

“Women’s basketball in the state of Indiana is as good as anywhere in the country,” said Fever President/GM Kelly Krauskopf. “On all levels; the state has produced NCAA titles, WNBA Champions and Olympians. We know that every champion’s career begins with youth sports and we are proud of our partnership with the IHSAA.”

The girls tournament pairings will be announced tomorrow (Feb. 2) at 4 pm ET / 3 pm CT with sectionals beginning Tuesday, Feb. 11. The boys pairings will be released on Sunday, Feb. 23 with their sectionals opening on Tuesday, March 4.