IU Indianapolis athletics center to be named James T. Morris Arena

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana University Board of Trustees voted Friday to name the planned athletics center on the Indiana University Indianapolis campus after the late James T. Morris. An alumnus who earned his political science degree from IU Bloomington, Morris served several terms on the Board of Trustees spanning multiple decades.

James T. Morris retired from the IU Board of Trustees in 2022 after serving on and off for decades. Photo by Indiana University “No individual epitomized the idea of service to IU and the city of Indianapolis more than Jim Morris,” IU President Pamela Whitten said. “This recognition is only fitting for our vision of an arena that will serve both the university and the community. It was Jim’s advocacy at the Statehouse that helped propel this project forward, and now generations of IU students and campus visitors will benefit.”

Beyond his service to IU, Morris held many distinguished roles over the course of his career, including vice chairman of Pacers Sports and Entertainment, chief of staff to Mayor Richard G. Lugar, president of Lilly Endowment, chairman and CEO for IWC Resources Corp. and Indianapolis Water Co., and executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme.

“Like many projects and programs throughout our state, this facility would not have been possible without Jim Morris,” said Quinn Buckner, IU Board of Trustees chair. “The James T. Morris Arena will help recognize his enduring legacy on sports, community and scholarship in our city and our state.”

The James T. Morris Arena will include a basketball/volleyball court with seats for 4,500 patrons, as well as locker rooms, training facilities, and offices for IU Indianapolis Athletics and USA Track and Field. A significant portion of the seating will be retractable to provide flexibility and multipurpose use for events like collegiate and high school sports, including volleyball and wrestling, as well as other recreational activities. The project will include requisite concourse spaces, concessions, restrooms, storage and mechanical/electrical spaces to support the facility.

Members of the Morris family, including Jennifer Schaefer, Todd Morris, Jackie Morris and J. Timothy Morris, join IU President Pamela Whitten and Trustees Chair Quinn Buckner to unveil the sign for the new arena at IU Indianapolis named after former trustee James T. Morris. Photo by Chris Meyer, Indiana UniversityConstruction on the James T. Morris Arena is expected to conclude late in 2026. IU will fund $21 million of the project, with the Indiana State Budget Committee appropriating $89 million in state funding for the facility. Trustees approved designs for the James T. Morris Arena at their September meeting.

What they’re saying:

Tim Morris, son of Jim Morris and a current IU trustee: “The Morris family is deeply appreciative of this recognition. Our father’s passion for Indiana University was matched only by his commitment to Indianapolis and the state of Indiana, so it is only fitting that the James T. Morris Arena will be built to serve each of them.”

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb: “I’m so grateful to see Jim Morris and his rich legacy being honored by Indiana University in such a permanent way. We have Jim Morris to thank for being such a relentless and positive force for good throughout our capital city and state.”

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett: “Jim Morris was truly one of the biggest champions for Indianapolis and played a key role in making it the thriving sports city we all know and love today. It is only fitting that IU Indianapolis recognize his contributions with this honor. The new James T. Morris Athletic Center will be a place that will build on Jim’s legacy by enhancing the opportunities for higher education and competitive collegiate sports in our city.”