Sports Corp Launches Campaign, Nears Fundraising Goal
As Indianapolis prepares for an unprecedented run of major sporting events over the next two years, the Indiana Sports Corp is launching a campaign to boost community involvement. The organization says the IN the Game campaign aims to drive engagement throughout the Indy community and “create measures to put the city in a positive light nationally and internationally.” The ISC says part of that effort is fundraising and its previously-announced Indy Championships Fund has raised more than $20 million toward its $25 million goal.
Indiana Sports Corp President Ryan Vaughn talked about the campaign with Inside INdiana Business Reporter Mary-Rachel Redman.
“A big part of this is just really engagement; how do we get people to come out and volunteer and be part of these events?” said Vaughn. “We’re going to need more than 10,000 volunteers to execute these events at a high level and so we just want the community to know that we’re open for business.”
Beginning in March, Indianapolis will host two Big Ten Football Championship games, three Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournaments, two Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournaments, the 2020 NCAA Men’s Basketball Midwest Regionals, the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in diving, the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, the 2021 NCAA Men’s Final Four, and the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Vaughn says there are a litany of things residents can volunteer to do, from sitting on organizing committees and subcommittees to smaller jobs on the day of an event. He says volunteering creates a sense of Hoosier pride.
“‘Hoosier Hospitality’ is not just a local catchphrase; it’s known nationally. I can tell you having traveled the country and spoken with event rights holders in major sporting events or conventions, they know that when they come here, they’re treated well, that there’s volunteers that care that they’re here, that appreciate that they’re here contributing to our economy. It’s a great opportunity to showcase our city to a national and global audience, so it’s just a great way to give back.”
In addition to volunteering, the ISC says the community can also help by attending the events, as well as the surrounding ancillary events that come with them, and being an advocate for the the community.
The Indiana Sports Corp launched the $25 million Indy Championships Fund in December 2017. Vaughn says the city’s corporate partners have always been generous in supporting one major sporting event at a time, but the fund allows them to support a large number of events at once.
You can learn more about the IN the Game campaign by clicking here.