Pacers Pride

Lore & Background

Pacers Pride is a culture passed down through generations. Grandparents who watched Mel Daniels and Roger Brown dominate the ABA now share faded jerseys and stories with their grandchildren. The team's move from Market Square Arena to Conseco (now Gainbridge Fieldhouse) did not change this connection. The city's support remained strong through the team's struggles in the 1980s and its resurgence in the 1990s. This pride is embodied by fans who show unwavering support, such as a bartender closing early for a playoff game or a family driving from Fort Wayne on a Tuesday night.

In Their Own Story

Inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the experience is a wall of sound and memory—popcorn, floor wax, and the ghost of past games. A child in an oversized Reggie Miller jersey watches the game intently. The crowd pulses as one, chanting 'DE-FENSE' during timeouts. This fan is not just watching a game; they are inheriting a pact. It is the sound of home.

Reader's Guide

Real Pacers Pride is found in the nosebleeds of Gainbridge Fieldhouse during a Tuesday night game against a division rival. Arrive early to see ushers greet season-ticket holders by name, families who have held the same seats for 30 years. Wear a vintage ABA jersey or a simple blue shirt that shows wear. During timeouts, the crowd stomps the bleachers in a rhythm that feels older than the franchise. When a player makes a three-pointer, let out a guttural 'BOOM.' This is not manufactured noise; it is the sound of a city that shows up, rain or shine, because Pacers Pride is a civic duty.

Did You Know?

• Mel Daniels, a center for the Pacers, was the first professional basketball player Larry Bird ever saw, and Daniels later became an assistant coach to Bird at Indiana State University.
• Larry Bird, a native of French Lick, Indiana, grew up as a huge fan of the Indiana Pacers in the ABA.
• The Pacers' home arena was originally Market Square Arena before moving to Conseco Fieldhouse, now known as Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
• Reggie Miller, a key figure in Pacers history, played his entire 18-season NBA career with the team.