INDIANAPOLIS — Jim Morris, a decorated Indiana and Butler alumnus, longtime local civic and business leader and vice chairman of Pacers Sports and Entertainment, has died at age 81, according to a statement sent Saturday by the Indiana Pacers. Over the past six decades, Morris helped reshape the civic and sports landscape of central Indiana.
“There are no words that can do justice to the significance of Jim’s life,” read a statement attributed to Pacers owner Herb Simon, the Simon family and Pacers Sports and Entertainment. “Until his last day, he worked hard to bring people together to help those who needed it most and to make our city and state stronger, more civilized and more united. No one loved Indiana and Indianapolis more than Jim. To us, however, Jim was a family member, a lifelong friend, a mentor and the ultimate fan. He was a constant presence at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and a never-ending source of optimism about the future of his beloved Pacers, Fever and Indiana University. Jim will be greatly missed by all of us, and we will keep him and his family in our prayers now and always.”
Morris grew up in Terre Haute and graduated from IU in 1965, starting his career at American Fletcher National Bank. He became chief of staff to then-Indianapolis Mayor Richard Lugar in 1967 and remained in that position until 1973. During that time, he helped establish Unigov and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, which has since split into two separate schools. He also helped develop the Market Square Arena, which opened in 1974.
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“Last night, Indianapolis lost a true giant with the passing of my dear friend Jim Morris,” Mayor Joe Hogsett said in a statement. “Jim’s tremendous impact on Indianapolis and our state will be felt for decades to come. He helped establish the Indiana Sports Corp., shaping the sports strategy that laid the foundation for our recent record-breaking success as a host city. He raised funds for vital projects like the Indianapolis Zoo and the Hoosier Dome. His leadership at Pacers Sports & Entertainment only solidified his place as a pillar of our community. And his dedication to humanitarian efforts extended his impact to communities around the world. I extend my deepest condolences to Jim’s wife, Jackie, and the entire Morris family and everyone at Pacers Sports & Entertainment. May we honor Jim’s legacy by striving to live our lives as he did—with compassion, humanity and a spirit of service in all that we do.”
Morris left Lugar’s office to join the Lilly Endowment in 1973, rising to the level of president in 1984 and serving in that role until 1988. During that time, he appropriated $25 million for the construction of the Hoosier Dome and also raised funds for the construction of the Indianapolis Zoo.
He then became president of the Indianapolis Water Co. from 1989 to 2002, and then executive director of the World Food Program from 2002 to 2007. He also served as the United Nations Secretary-General’s special envoy for the humanitarian crisis in South Africa during that time. He returned to Indianapolis in 2007 to join Pacers Sports and Entertainment. He rose to the position of president and has been vice president since 2014.
“Indiana has lost a favorite son and a true servant leader,” Gov. Eric Holcomb said in a statement. “Jim Morris, the quintessential Indiana man, not only preached the blessings of his faith, his family, his friends and his calling, he brought wholeness to them all. He cared as much about helping a hungry stranger as he did about dining with a pope or a princess. His love for his childhood home of Terre Haute was matched by his devotion to his alma mater, Indiana University. We all owe Jim Morris a debt of gratitude for being a force for good and a steadfast builder of our nation’s capital into the international destination it is today. Everyone could learn from Jim’s wisdom, his big heart for humanity and his appetite for the arts. Janet and I will miss our dear friend every day, and we pray for Jackie and the Morris family during this difficult time.” »
Morris served as a trustee of Indiana University and Indiana State University and twice chaired the IU Board of Trustees. He also served on the executive boards of UNICEF, the Boy Scouts of America National Advisory Council, the United States Olympic Committee, the Riley Children’s Foundation, the American Red Cross, the board of directors of Hulman & Company, the board of directors of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Eiteljorg Museum and the advisory board of Indianapolis Power and Light.
Morris has received 17 honorary doctorates. He received Holcomb’s Sachem Award in 2021 and the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama in 2016.
“Jim Morris was a quintessential Hoosier,” Indiana University President Pam Whitten said in a statement. “Few people have given as much to our university, our state and our world. Jim’s deep love for Indiana University was known to all, and he leaves an incomparable legacy as a student, parent, benefactor, chairman of the board and an IU trustee for nearly two decades.” He received countless honors during his many years of service, and his impact on Indiana University is immeasurable. I consider myself very fortunate to have received the unparalleled support and mentorship that accompanied a deep friendship with Jim Morris.”
Quinn Buckner, current IU board chairman, former IU and NBA point guard and current Pacers TV color analyst, also released a statement.
“On behalf of the Indiana University Board of Trustees, we remember today the considerable legacy of Jim Morris,” Buckner said. “Through his long tenure as chairman of the board, his endless generosity and his love for his alma mater, Jim had a profound impact on the IU community, the people of Indiana and many others around the world. In my own life, Jim was a mentor and confidant, as he was to many. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all who benefited from his wisdom and generosity.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also released a statement.
“I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of my beloved friend Jim Morris. Jim was Indiana royalty. He dedicated much of his life to serving his community and took great pride in seeing Indianapolis become a world-class destination. He also cared deeply about the Pacers and the Fever and their role in inspiring and connecting people. And no one was better at bringing people together than Jim, often hosting gatherings of community, business and political leaders before Pacers games that were uplifting and unforgettable moments.
“On behalf of the entire NBA family, we extend our deepest condolences to Jim’s wife, Jackie, and her family, Herb Simon and his family, and all of Jim’s many friends and colleagues at Pacers Sports & Entertainment.”
Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard said Morris was “perhaps the most important person in Indiana in the last 50 years. The kindest, most selfless man.”