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Hoops, harmony, and history: Indy's economic scoreboard – Indianapolis Recorder

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Hoops, harmony, and history: Indy's economic scoreboard – Indianapolis Recorder


Deborah Asante
Deborah Asante

In the heart of Indianapolis, the echoes of bouncing basketballs resonate through the corridors of history, intertwining the worlds of sports, culture, and economics. Over the years, Indiana has become an emerging epicenter, an unofficial sports capital in the Midwest. In fact, in the coming year, Indy will host various national and global events, including NBA All-Star Weekend in February, and in 2025, for the first time ever, the U.S. Olympic Team Trials will take place on a football field at Lucas Oil Stadium. And while these events promise to bring unprecedented visibility and economic impact to the city, they also offer meaningful reflection points for our state.

In 49 states, it’s just basketball… But this is Indiana where the game is more than a sport; it’s a cultural phenomenon, and this February, all roads lead to the Circle City for All-Star 2024. Before we start debating who will win the Slam Dunk Contest, or if the East will finally defeat the West, Indianapolis is pausing to celebrate the historic championship team that shattered the ceilings of oppression through athletics.

Attucks High School, named after Crispus Attucks, an African American man and the first casualty of the American Revolution, has a unique place in history. Established in 1927 as the city’s first all-Black high school, Attucks faced adversity but rose above it through achievements on many academic and artistic fronts and most spectacularly with its basketball team. The 1955 Crispus Attucks Tigers, under the guidance of Coach Ray Crowe, made history by becoming the first All-Black high school team to win a national championship anywhere in the United States. Their story will take center stage in the production, ‘A Touch of Glory’ presented by Deborah Asante & Artists in partnership with GANGGANG.

A magical theatrical experience that transcends time to bring forth the inspiring story of Oscar Robertson and his basketball teammates at Crispus Attucks High School in 1955, ‘A Touch of Glory’ is the result of six years of dedicated work by playwright Laura Town. Town conducted extensive research into the time, including interviews with key figures such as the Crowe family, Bill Hampton, John Gipson, Willie Merriweather, and Hallie Bryant. The meticulous attention to detail and representation reflects the commitment to telling this remarkable story with authenticity. ‘A Touch of Glory’ extends beyond the immediate influx of visitors and serves to offer a long-overdue celebration of these tremendous Black Hoosiers and their accomplishments as national champions.

‘A Touch of Glory’ will premier with free Community Previews on February 9, 10, and 11. The production will return during All-Star Weekend, with showings on February 16, 17, and 18. Tickets cost $20 when purchased through Eventbrite or $30 at the door. This production is best suited for audiences 13 years of age and above.

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As Indianapolis prepares to host All-Star 2024 and to showcase the historic achievements of the 1955 Crispus Attucks Tigers, it’s not just a celebration of basketball—it’s a recognition of the economic significance that emerges when hoops, harmony, and history converge in the heart of Indiana. We hope to see you at the show.





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Indianapolis, IN

New bridge over 96th Street adds to Nickel Plate Trail connections

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New bridge over 96th Street adds to Nickel Plate Trail connections


FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) — The Nickel Plate Trail pedestrian bridge over 96th Street is officially open.

It was being touted Friday as a major milestone for central Indiana’s growing trail system. The street is the Fishers-Indianapolis border.

Leaders called the project a critical connection point for the Nickel Plate Trail. The new bridge helps move the nearly 17-mile trail closer to its goal of connecting multiple counties through one continuous path.

The bridge also came with a 1.3-mile trail extension. A $4.5 million grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources made the bridge possible.

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Dale Brier, deputy director of Indiana Department of Natural Resources, talked about the state’s Next Level Trails grant program. “Currently, we have 89 trail projects that that were funded with that money. Fifty-nine of those are complete. We’ve got 12 under construction. As of this opening, we have 167 miles of trail that have now been opened with that grant money.”

People who frequently take the trail for their daily exercises say they’re excited the bridge is finally open.

Alan Errichiello of the Fishers Running Club said, “Extending this down south into Indianapolis is a big game changer for us. It’ll add a lot of miles that we can easily get into.”

Resident Tracy Mundell said, “Trying to get to the other side was nearly impossible, so I think most people didn’t even attempt it. It’s going to be great, we can get over to the other side, and I’m anxious to see what’s over there.”

The final portion of the project, called the Clear Path project, remains under construction.

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Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, a Republican, said, “We need to double-down on that investment, and we know time and time again here in the city of Fishers that trail systems, the ability to get up and get out and get active, is such an important part in our culture of health, that an investment like this is critical.”

Once complete, local leaders say the goal is to provide a more safe and connected routes between Noblesville, Fishers, Indianapolis and other surrounding cities.

Resident Steve Mundell said, “It’s lovely. It’ll be real convenient to get across too.”



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Good and bad from Colts’ 2026 NFLPA report card grades

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Good and bad from Colts’ 2026 NFLPA report card grades



What grades did the Indianapolis Colts earn on the 2026 NFLPA report cards?

The NFLPA is no longer able to make their annual report cards public. However, ESPN’s Kayln Kahler was able to obtain a copy of the reports following the 2025 NFL season, and the Indianapolis Colts were again around the middle of the pack.

In these report cards, players rate numerous aspects of the organizations they play for, from ownership to the training facilities and everything in between. According to Kahler, 1,759 players contributed to these grades.

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So, where did the Colts end up this year relative to the rest of the NFL this year?

Overall, the Colts ranked 17th. Below is a breakdown of each individual grade they received.

  • Treatment of Families: B
  • Home Game Field: D
  • Food/Dining Area: B
  • Nutritionist/Dietician: A-
  • Locker Room: C+
  • Training Room: B
  • Training Staff: B+
  • Weight Room: B
  • Strength Coaches: A
  • Position Coaches: B
  • Offensive Coordinator: B
  • Defensive Coordinator: B+
  • Special Teams Coordinator: B+
  • Team Travel: B-
  • Head Coach: A-
  • General Manager: A
  • Team Ownership: A

Of note, although the Colts haven’t been to the postseason in five years, Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard both received high marks.

Carlie Irsay Gordon, Kalen Jackson, and Casey Foyt earned an A in their first year as the primary owners.

The field at Lucas Oil Stadium received a very low mark, earning a D, while the locker room was given a C+. Those were the two lowest grades the Colts received.

Compared to the 2025 rankings, the Colts moved up two spots this year, after coming in at 19th last year.

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The biggest jumps the Colts experienced came in the Food/Dining grade, which went from a C to a B. The Team travel grade also jumped from a D+ to a B-.



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Indianapolis police search for 3 people after shooting, stolen vehicle crash

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Indianapolis police search for 3 people after shooting, stolen vehicle crash


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — After a shooting, Indianapolis police were searching for three people who fled on foot following the pursuit of a stolen vehicle and its crash on Thursday afternoon.

No information was provided in the notification about the three people being sought. News 8 reached out to IMPD by email to find out details about the three people. Anyone with information regarding the incident or the people who fled the crash was asked to contact the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

The stolen vehicle was linked to a Thursday shooting, prompting the lockdown of a nearby child care center, IMPD said in a media notification. No information was provided about where the shooting happened, what may have led to it, or whether anyone was hurt.

IMPD, however, said the stolen vehicle and crash were not related to a shooting reported at 12:35 p.m. Thursday at a gas station and restaurant at West 38th and Meridian streets.

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IMPD officers found the stolen vehicle around 12:45 p.m. Thursday near East 38th Street and Post Road. When a detective attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle fled westbound before crashing a short time later near Whenner Drive, the notification said. It did not say what type of vehicle was abandoned in the crash.

Three people from the crashed vehicle fled southwest on foot. IMPD established a perimeter with assistance from the Indiana State Police, the Lawrence Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office — using specialized resources, including a state police helicopter, a special weapons and tactics team, and the IMPD’s police dogs — but did not find the three people.

IMPD said a firearm was found in the crashed vehicle, and a man detained at the crash scene was later released once investigators determined he was not directly involved in the incident.

Police have since lifted the lockdown on the child care center.

IMPD’s public information office can be reached at 317-327-3424.

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