Pacers, Fever Assist Southside

Pacers, Fever Assist Southside

November 14, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS – Katie Douglas, an All-Star guard on the WNBA Champion Indiana Fever, grew up on the Southside of Indianapolis, where she still resides today. The Fever star, along with teammate and WNBA Finals MVP Tamika Catchings and fellow Indianapolis native, George Hill of the Indiana Pacers, have come together to help those affected by last Saturday’s tragic explosion on the Southside of Indianapolis.

Douglas, Catchings and Hill, along with the Fever and Pacers organizations, have invited all of the residents of the Richmond Hill neighborhood affected by Saturday’s tragedy to the Pacers vs. Dallas Mavericks game on Friday evening at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. In addition to attending the game, the residents will receive a food voucher for dinner courtesy of the players and then attend a post-game meet & greet with Catchings and Hill.

"I was born on the Southside," said Douglas, who leaves this week to play basketball in Europe. "I live on the Southside. This happened only miles from where we just won the WNBA title. This happened just a few miles from where I grew up. My only regret is that I won’t be there Friday. But I will be there in spirit."

Catchings said the group wanted to help in a comforting way. "We wanted to provide these people with a chance to get away from all they have been dealing with, and if even for just a few hours, enjoy a fun evening. I can’t wait to see them and share some hugs."

Hill, a Broad Ripple High School graduate and former standout at IUPUI, couldn’t wait to help his fellow citizens. "Like Katie, this is home for me," said Hill. "When you see neighbors in trouble you have to do something. This was so shocking to all of us."