Expanding upon a statewide initiative to improve neighborhood recreational spaces, the Pacers Foundation and Purdue University formally revealed two newly renovated basketball courts at Tarkington Park on Sept 16.
The community project, completed in collaboration with Indy Parks and The Parks Alliance of Indianapolis, honors the enduring local legacies of Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White and WNBA Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured appearances from local civic leaders, neighborhood residents, Indiana Fever players and the honored athletes. Designed under the Pacers Foundation’s ongoing “State of Play” initiative, the dual outdoor courts provide the surrounding Butler-Tarkington neighborhood with a high-quality physical environment for youth to connect and develop their athletic skills.
The project prominently celebrates the intersecting basketball histories of White and Catchings. The Purdue University-branded court features the institution’s signature gold and black colorway alongside White’s autograph.
Before transitioning into her coaching career, White played four seasons for the Boilermakers, culminating in a 1999 NCAA national championship and earning Big Ten Player of the Year honors during her senior campaign.
“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.”
Adjacent to the Purdue design sits the Indiana Fever-branded court. Painted in the franchise’s traditional red and blue, the playing surface features Catchings’ signature alongside a Fire Orange 3-point line. The orange arc is part of a broader WNBA initiative dedicated to honoring girls and women on park courts across the country.
Catchings, who spent her entire 15-year professional playing career with the Fever and secured the 2012 WNBA championship, emphasized the critical importance of local investments in youth athletics.
“This is a special place because it gives people in the 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.”
The Tarkington Park renovations represent a collaborative financial investment in Marion County’s public infrastructure. The project received supplemental funding from the Indiana State Police Alliance, which recently committed to contributing $250,000 over the next five years to help revitalize community basketball courts throughout the state. The renovated courts add to the many spaces of Tarkington Park, including the tennis and pickleball courts, alongside the soon-to-open Richard “Coach Nell” Hamilton Multi-Purpose Field.
Contact multimedia & senior sports reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news, visit indianapolisrecorder.com.
Noral Parham is the multi-media reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
