Welcome to Indianapolis and IUPUI!
For a collection of editors in the never-ending search for insight and context, here are the words of David Letterman, born and raised here, on the day the Peyton Manning statue was unveiled outside Lucas Oil Stadium in 2017:
“Take a look around you at this city, ladies and gentlemen. When I lived here, it was like a minimum security prison with a racetrack.
“People said to me, ‘Dave, we’re planning a trip to Indianapolis. What should we do?’
“And I said, ‘Well, here’s what I would do if I was planning a trip to Indianapolis.’
“This is years and years ago. I said, ‘I’d go to Indianapolis, rent a car, and drive to Chicago.’”
He was talking about the place that existed before the creation of the Indiana Sports Corp. in 1979 established the identity of the “Amateur Sports Capital of the World” and eventually led to the arrival of the NCAA, before construction of the old Market Square Arena downtown brought the Final Four here in 1980, before the completion of the Hoosier Dome and the arrival of the Colts in 1984, before Indianapolis won a Super Bowl – and hosted one.
Now, you have arrived in a place that was included in Time Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2021.
Before and after the business taking place at the APSE summer conference June 15-18, you will have options, indoors and out, with the kids – or not. Enjoy. Click here to register for the conference and reserve a hotel room. Early-bird registration prices are available until June 1.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (3000 N. Meridian Street; 317-334-4000; childrensmuseum.org): The new Dinosphere has added Giants of the Jurassic and Monsters of the Mesozoic Seas to the Creatures of the Cretaceous in an exhibit that opened in March. The self-proclaimed world’s largest children’s museum has 472,900 square feet on five floors. Outside, the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience includes basketball, football, racing, golf, tennis, baseball, soccer, hockey and a fitness path and track.
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art (500 West Washington Street; 317-636-9378; eiteljorg.org): “Warhol’s West” through August 7. Juneteenth & Jazz Community Celebration, Saturday June 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with live music performances and art making activities. Free admission.
Hilbert Circle Theatre (45 Monument Circle, 317-639-4300; indianapolissymphony.org): Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Classical Series: Mendelssohn’s Elijah, June 17-18.
Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library (543 Indiana Avenue, 317-423-0391; vonnegutlibrary.org): Tours take place on the hour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn about the museum’s First Amendment advocacy and Banned Books Week.
Indianapolis Zoo (White River State Park, 1200 West Washington Street; 317-630-2001; indianapoliszoo.com): A Thursday night concert series, Animals and All That Jazz, starts June 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Madam Walker Legacy Center: (617 Indiana Avenue; 317-236-2099; madamwalkerlegacycenter.com): 95th Anniversary Legacy Concert on June 17, headlined by Grammy award winner Babyface.
Mud Creek Theatre: (9740 E. 86th Street; 317-290-5343; mudcreekplayers.org): The Little Prince, until June 18.
NCAA Hall of Champions: (700 West Washington Street; 317-916-4255; ncaahallofchampions.org); What You May Not Know About Title IX and Athletics, through January 15. Also, APSE registrants will have a chance to visit Hall of Champions on June 16 at an NCAA-hosted reception.
Ruoff Music Center: (12880 E. 146th Street, Noblesville; 317-776-8181; livenation.com): Tears for Fears and Garbage, June 17, 7:30 p.m.
Soldiers & Sailors Monument: (1 Monument Circle; 317-232-7615; indianawarmemorials.org): For the first time, from June 17-19, there will be a national gathering of the Major Taylor clubs, named for Marshall “Major” Taylor, a 19th Century cycling champion from Indianapolis.
TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park: (801 West Washington Street; 317-776-8161; livenation.com): ZPL Birthday Bash 2022 – Charlie Puth with Ava Max, June 17 at 7:00 p.m.
Victory Field: (501 West Maryland Street, 317-269-3545; milb.com): IHSAA Baseball State Finals, June 17 at 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; June 18 at 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Malcolm Moran is the director of the Sports Capital Journalism Program at IUPUI.
