INDIANAPOLIS – The Pacers Foundation, Purdue University, and community partners today unveiled two newly renovated basketball courts at Tarkington Park, honoring Indiana Fever Head Coach Stephanie White and WNBA legend Tamika Catchings while creating a new place for youth and families to play, connect, and build community.
Led by the Pacers Foundation through its State of Play initiative, the project was made possible through a collaboration with Purdue University, Indy Parks, The Parks Alliance of Indianapolis, and other community partners. The Fever roster, neighborhood residents, local leaders, youth, and project partners joined today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony and community celebration.
“We believe every child deserves a safe, welcoming place where they can play, grow and dream,” said Rachel Simon, chair of the Pacers Foundation. “Tarkington Park is now home to courts that celebrate two incredible women who have given so much to basketball in Indiana — Stephanie White and Tamika Catchings — while creating opportunities for the next generation to write their own stories here. This is what State of Play is about as we bring partners together to make a meaningful, lasting investment in our communities.”
The two courts celebrate the legacies of White and Catchings, whose careers have helped shape Indiana’s basketball tradition and inspire generations of players.
The Purdue-branded court features the university’s iconic old gold and black, as well as White’s signature. A Purdue alumna, White played four seasons for the Boilermakers from 1995-99, culminating in a 1999 NCAA championship. During her senior season, she earned Big Ten Player of the Year and Wade Trophy honors. She was inducted into the Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006 and returned to Indiana as head coach of the Fever in 2025 for her second stint at the helm.
The Indiana Fever-branded court features the team’s red and blue, and the signature of Catchings, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and Indianapolis icon. The court is also painted with the Fire Orange 3-point line, a WNBA initiative honoring girls and women on park courts across the country. Catchings spent all 16 seasons of her WNBA career with the Fever, earning 10 All-Star selections and four Olympic medals while leading Indiana to its first WNBA championship in 2012.
“This is a special place because it gives people in the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood a place to come together, play and create memories,” Catchings said. “Basketball has given me so much, and I hope these courts give the next generation that same opportunity to find community, build confidence and discover what they’re capable of. I’m grateful to be part of this and to continue serving as an ambassador for the Indiana Fever and the game I love.”
“As Boilermakers, we are thankful to partner with the Pacers Foundation to celebrate these basketball legends and two iconic brands,” said David Umulis, Purdue University senior vice provost for Indianapolis. “Purdue will continue to be a willing and proactive partner in making this community and world-class city, champions in every sense of the word.”
White said the courts represent the power of basketball to connect generations and communities.
“I’m proud to be connected to two outstanding organizations that share a deep commitment to the game of basketball and the communities it inspires,” White said. “My hope is that every young person who steps onto this court can see their own potential, feel a sense of belonging and dream of one day competing at the highest level.”
“Parks work best when a neighborhood, a city and its partners pull in the same direction,” said Jenny Boyts, executive director of The Parks Alliance of Indianapolis. “The Pacers Foundation, Purdue University and Indy Parks did exactly that at Tarkington Park, and the result is two courts that honor Stephanie White and Tamika Catchings by giving the next generation somewhere to play.”
The project is part of the Pacers Foundation’s State of Play initiative, which invests in high-quality recreational spaces designed to give youth and families across Indiana greater opportunities to play, connect and stay active. The Indiana State Police Alliance (ISPA) also provided support for the Tarkington Park project as part of its commitment to expanding access to quality recreational spaces for Indiana communities. As part of the initiative, ISPA will contribute $250,000 over the next five years to help bring renewed, vibrant basketball courts to communities throughout Indiana. Learn more about State of Play and apply for a grant at PacersFoundation.org.
