Pacers Poised For Opening Tip On And Off Hardwood
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Pacers are expanding the tip-off of the 2018-2019 season Wednesday with the start of what it says will be Opening Week festivities. The team will have a second home game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis Saturday and new Senior Vice President for Corporate Community and Public Relations Brent Rockwood says the remainder of the week will include scavenger hunts, viewing parties and other family-oriented events. Prior to Saturday’s game, the team will also host a 5K race with Indiana basketball legend and former Pacers President Larry Bird serving as honorary race starter.
Rockwood told Reporter Mary-Rachel Redman the season is shaping up to be unlike any other in franchise history. "Part of that is because of the success that this team has last year. The Pacers were the surprise team of the NBA. Forty-eight wins. Had a very competitive and winnable (Eastern Conference First Round) series against the Cleveland Cavaliers — pushed them to seven games," he said. "It’d also about kind of other things we do at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, too. We’ve been nationally-known for a lot of the great concerts and musicians that we have coming inside here, so we just really want kind of the ultimate fan/the ultimate guest experience for anybody who walks through these doors." That experience, the organization announced earlier this year, extends to the digital realm and a focus on boosting engagement through a partnership with Salesforce.com Inc. (NYSE: CRM).
Rockwood says owners Herb and Steve Simon are constantly pushing employees of Pacers Sports & Entertainment to improve and the results will be shown in on the court, in the stands and even in the concession areas. "Indianapolis has really become known for the culinary scene on the national level, and now we’re bringing that inside to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. We’re really excited. We have great, local culinary partners that have a bunch of new food items for fans to partake in."
The Indiana Pacers will open the season Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies and return home Saturday night against Brooklyn Nets. You can connect to more about the team and opening week by clicking here.