Reading Timeouts | Photo Gallery »
Each week, from October – May, the Indiana Pacers present Weekly Reading Timeouts. Special guest readers include members of the Indiana Pacers, the Indiana Pacemates and members of the Pacers All-Star Reading Team.
Guest readers read stories to students from large oversized books. All students participating in the reading timeouts receive a Pacers Backpack filled with a Reading Poster, Bookmark and Scholastic Book, along with a free Pacers game ticket. Students also have the opportunity to win Pacers prizes including headbands, t-shirts and a Pacers basketball. In addition, when available, Boomer surprises the students with a special guest appearance.
Each visit is approximately one hour in length with class sizes averaging 175 students in 1st-3rd grade.
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See photos from this year's Reading Timeouts »
All-Star Reading Team
As part of the Reading TimeOut Program, the Pacers have developed an All-Star Reading Team featuring players, coaches, local dignitaries, community partners and celebrities.
Members of the All-Star Reading Team volunteer their time and knowledge to the Reading TimeOut program to help promote and bring public awareness to the value of reading.
Read Across America Day
National Education Association’s Read Across America Day is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss.
Each year the Pacers partner with the Indiana State Teachers Association to host Read Across America Day at a select area elementary school. The event includes a Reading Time-Out for K-2nd graders as well as special treats celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday.
Call A Pacer
The Indiana Pacers team up with Stanley Security Solutions and the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library to present Call-A-Pacer. This annual program allows callers to listen to featured Pacers' players or coaches read a children’s story.
Fans of all ages can call (317) 275-4444, to hear members of the Pacers read pre-selected children's stories. Phone lines are open 24 hours a day, and may be accessed by up to four listeners at a time. Call-A-Pacer was created to encourage school-age children to read and visit their neighborhood library. All stories run for one week from April – June each year.
Listen to This Year's Stories »
Summer Reading Tour
In partnership with the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, the Pacers and the Pacers Foundation present the Pacers Summer Reading Tour each summer.
During the library’s 8-week Summer Reading Program, the Pacers Community Relations Department take the Pacers Fan Van and stop by each IMCPL branch library for a 30-minute reading timeout. Each Reading TimeOut takes place outside in front of the van (weather permitting) where participants can also spin the Pacers prize wheel after each reading session. Each visit lasts a total of one hour.
Members of the Pacers All-Star Reading Team, the Indiana Pacemates, Pacers players & coaches and Boomer participate throughout the program!
Abrams Academic Achievement Award
In 2001-02, Pacers Team Ophthalmologist Dr. John Abrams and the Indiana Pacers established the Abrams Academic Achievement Award to recognize students at the Pacers Academy for their hard work and efforts in academic pursuits. Each year since its inception, the program has expanded to include other schools in the Indianapolis area.
Two 6th grade students from each participating school is recognized during a halftime, on-court ceremony at an Indiana Pacers game where they receive four game tickets, a Laptop Computer, a Certificate of Achievement and a Pacers goodie bag.
Black History Month
In celebration of Black History Month, the Indiana Pacers partner with the Indiana Historical Society for the Black History Challenge. This program encourages children and families to discover more about Indiana Black History while earning a chance to win great prizes!
To supplement the Challenge, Pacers players record a vignette featuring the notable achievements of various African-Americans who have helped change the course of history with their contributions in sports, literature, the arts, the community, education, music and the military. In addition, the Pacers also provide commemorative Black History Challenge posters to area schools, featuring those individuals highlighted on the series of vignettes and that are part of the Black History Challenge.
George Hill MVP Scholarship Contest | Learn More and Apply Online »
The Indiana Pacers and George Hill, in partnership with Herff Jones, Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) are now taking applications for the George Hill MVP Scholarship.
The goal of this program is to celebrate our high school students who are Community Leaders in the Making through criteria that includes academic excellence, community service and essay.
The top 10 finalists will receive two tickets to the Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks home game on March 22, 2013, and recognized during a special on-court presentation. In addition, each recipient will also be invited to a pregame meet and greet with George Hill, receive a commemorative photo, a Pacers Goodie Bag and a finalist plaque for their achievement.
The overall winner will receive a $5,000 college scholarship, courtesy of Herff Jones, to the accredited school of their choice.
IPS Values for Life Celebration
In partnership with Indianapolis Public Schools and Best Buy, the Pacers host the IPS Values for Life Celebration at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The purpose of this celebration is to recognize & encourage those students who have demonstrated IPS' Four Core Values - Excellence, Scholarship, Respect and Courage.
Each year approximately 8,000 K-6th graders converge upon Bankers Life Fieldhouse where they are entertained with IPS and Radio Disney talent, Pacers and Fever players, local dignitaries and of course a Boomer Dunk Show to celebrate their year-long achievement.
