The Indiana Fever entered the WNBA in 2000 as an expansion franchise, becoming one of the league’s most recognizable teams. From the championship years built around Tamika Catchings to the remarkable rise of Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark, the Fever have gone through several distinct eras. As of the 2026 season, Indiana has won one WNBA championship, reached the WNBA Finals three times, captured three Eastern Conference championships, and won the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup. The Beginning: 2000 The Fever were created as an expansion franchise to play in Indianapolis alongside the Indiana Pacers. The organization was controlled by Herb Simon, who remains the team’s principal owner. Melvin Simon, Herb’s brother and fellow Pacers owner, was also listed as a Fever owner during the franchise’s early years until his death in 2009. The team began play in 2000 under head coach Anne Donovan, a future Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer. The inaugural Fever team went 9–23. Fever ownership Herb Simon — 2000–present Melvin Simon — 2000–2009, co-owner during the early years The Fever have remained part of the Simon/Pacers Sports & Entertainment ownership structure throughout their history. Home Courts Through the Years The Fever have essentially had one permanent basketball home, although the building has carried several names. 2000–2011: Conseco Fieldhouse The Fever began playing at the downtown Indianapolis arena that opened in 1999. 2011–2021: Bankers Life Fieldhouse The arena was renamed Bankers Life Fieldhouse in 2011. 2021–present: Gainbridge Fieldhouse The building became Gainbridge Fieldhouse in 2021. The Fever played their first four home games of the 2021 season at Bankers Life Fieldhouse before moving the remainder of their home schedule to Indiana Farmers Coliseum. The 2020 season was played at IMG Academy in Florida because of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, historically: Conseco Fieldhouse → Bankers Life Fieldhouse → Gainbridge Fieldhouse The arena itself has been the Fever’s Indianapolis home since the franchise began. The Coaches The Fever have had nine head coaches through the 2026 season: Coach Years Anne Donovan 2000 Nell Fortner 2001–2003 Brian Winters 2004–2007 Lin Dunn 2008–2014 Stephanie White 2015–2016 Pokey Chatman 2017–2019 Marianne Stanley 2020–2022 Carlos Knox 2022 Christie Sides 2023–2024 Stephanie White 2025–present Lin Dunn stands out historically because she coached Indiana to its first championship in 2012 and finished her Fever tenure with a 135–103 regular-season record and a 23–18 playoff record. Stephanie White is also important to Fever history. She coached Indiana to the 2015 WNBA Finals and later returned as head coach in 2025. Most notable coaches Lin Dunn — The championship coach and architect of the Fever’s great 2000s/early-2010s teams. Stephanie White — Led the Fever to the 2015 Finals and later returned to lead the franchise into its current era. Brian Winters — Helped transform Indiana from an expansion team into a legitimate Eastern Conference contender. The Tamika Catchings Era If one player can be identified with the first two decades of Fever basketball, it is Tamika Catchings. Indiana selected Catchings with the third overall pick in the 2001 WNBA Draft. She went on to spend her entire 14-year WNBA career with Indiana. Catchings won: 2002 WNBA Rookie of the Year 2011 WNBA MVP 2012 WNBA Finals MVP Five Defensive Player of the Year awards 11 WNBA All-Star selections 12 All-WNBA selections 2012 WNBA championship Her five Defensive Player of the Year awards came in 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2012. She remains the Fever’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals according to the franchise’s current records. Fever Award Winners WNBA MVP The Fever have had one WNBA regular-season MVP: Tamika Catchings — 2011 Catchings became Indiana’s first MVP after leading the Fever to a 21–13 record and the Eastern Conference’s top seed. She averaged 15.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals. Rookie of the Year The Fever have produced three WNBA Rookie of the Year winners: Tamika Catchings — 2002 Aliyah Boston — 2023 Caitlin Clark — 2024 Boston was a unanimous selection, receiving all 60 votes in 2023. Clark followed her the next season, receiving 66 of 67 votes. That gave Indiana consecutive Rookie of the Year winners — a remarkable achievement made even more notable because both were No. 1 overall picks. Defensive Player of the Year Tamika Catchings — 2005 Tamika Catchings — 2006 Tamika Catchings — 2009 Tamika Catchings — 2010 Tamika Catchings — 2012 Five DPOY awards remain one of the defining accomplishments of Catchings’ career. Most Improved Player Fever players have also been recognized for sportsmanship: Tully Bevilaqua — 2007 Tamika Catchings — 2010 Tamika Catchings — 2013, shared Tamika Catchings — 2016 Catchings’ combination of competitiveness and sportsmanship became a major part of her reputation. All-Star Game MVP Erica Wheeler — 2019 One of the great individual moments in Fever history came when undrafted guard Erica Wheeler exploded for 25 points in the 2019 WNBA All-Star Game. She became the first undrafted player to win All-Star Game MVP. Fever players made an Impact Away from the Floor Fever players have also made an Impact Away from the Floor. The team’s recipients include: Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award Tamika Catchings — 2008 and 2016 Natalie Achonwa — 2020 Kelsey Mitchell — 2023 Mitchell became the third Fever player to receive the award. The Fever’s Championship 2012 — Indiana Fever The Fever’s greatest team accomplishment… Continue reading Indiana Fever: A Complete History of One of the WNBA’s Most Resilient Franchises
Tag: Caitlin Clark
CAITLIN CLARK vs. PETE MARAVICH: A SCORING DUEL
[adrotate group=”1″] The Records: 🏀 Pete Maravich: College Years : Maravich played for Louisiana State University (LSU) from 1967 to 1970. Scoring Average: He averaged an astounding 44.2 points per game during his college career. Total Points: Maravich set an NCAA record with a total of 3,667 points. (In 3 years), Total Points: Notably, Maravich achieved this feat without the benefit of the 3-point shot, which was introduced later, and he accomplished it in just three season. (Freshmen not allowed to play) Playing Style: Maravich was a shooting, dribbling, and passing wizard who dominated the college game. Caitlin Clark: College Years: Clark currently plays for the University of Iowa and has been making waves since 2020. Scoring Prowess: She is a scoring dynamo, consistently putting up impressive numbers. Current Total Points: As of now, Clark has amassed 3,650 points. Advantages: Unlike Maravich, she has the advantage of the 3-point shot and other modern rules. Playing Style: Clark’s playing style is reminiscent of Maravich’s—fearless, aggressive, and with a shoot-first mentality. Should There Be an Asterisk? The question of whether Caitlin Clark should have an asterisk next to her name when she breaks Maravich’s scoring record is subjective. Here are some considerations: Era and Rules: Maravich played in a different era, without the shot clock or the 3-point line. These factors significantly impacted gameplay. Clark’s achievements occur in a more modern context, with rule changes that favor high-scoring games. Duration: Maravich achieved his record in three seasons, while Clark is on track to surpass it in four seasons. Some argue that the longer duration gives Clark more opportunities to accumulate points. Individual Accomplishments: Both players stand on their own merits. Clark’s achievements are remarkable, regardless of Maravich’s record. Comparing them directly may not be entirely fair, as they played different games under different circumstances. Conclusion: Caitlin Clark’s scoring prowess is undeniable, and she deserves recognition for her achievements. Whether an asterisk should accompany her record-breaking moment is a matter of perspective. Ultimately, both players have left an indelible mark on college basketball, each in their unique way. As fans, let’s celebrate their greatness without diminishing either player’s legacy. 🏀 [adrotate group=”1″] Views: 171
RE: STUDENT ATHLETES GETTING PAID ENDORSEMENTS (NIL)
[adrotate group=”1″] 🏀 🏈 Here is a comparison between the non-scholarship major college student and the high profile student full ride scholarship in one of the top five athletic conferences: Aspect Non-scholarship student Full-ride scholarship student Tuition Has to pay for tuition, which can range from $10,000 to $50,000 per year depending on the school. Does not have to pay for tuition, which is covered by the scholarship. Housing Has to pay for housing, which can cost around $10,000 per year on average. Does not have to pay for housing, which is covered by the scholarship. Books and other expenses Has to pay for books and other expenses, which can add up to $1,000 to $2,000 per year. Does not have to pay for books and other expenses, which are covered by the scholarship. Financial aid May qualify for financial aid, such as grants, loans, or work-study, depending on their financial need and academic performance. May not qualify for financial aid, as the scholarship already covers their full cost of attendance. Academic requirements Has to meet the academic requirements of their major, which may vary depending on the field of study and the school. Has to meet the academic requirements of their scholarship, which may be higher than the minimum standards of the school. Athletic requirements Does not have to participate in any varsity sports, unless they choose to do so as a walk-on Has to participate in a varsity sport, and maintain a high level of performance and commitment Career prospects Has to compete with other graduates for jobs or further education, and may have to deal with student debt Has an advantage in terms of networking, exposure, and recognition, and does not have to worry about student debt By comparison of expenses the Athlete is getting between $22,000-$72,000 a year for playing a sport. (Not all athletes, mostly just Basketball and Football players). Over a 4 year career that totals to $88,000-$288,000. AND no STUDENT DEBT. Not a bad deal. However now they make Thousands on NIL. Some could finish their 4 years as MILLIONAIRES. CONCLUSION: If I had the chance to play a sport I love, get a college degree, and have NO expenses, other than the small things every body has, like dating expenses, an occasional night out. etc. etc. AND NO STUDENT DEBT. I would be happy as a lark. It is reported that Iowas Caitlin Clark has an NIL value of $818,000. Not picking on Ms Clark; she is the one that came up first. What I read is this is more than 120+ NBA players get. 🏈 🏀 Views: 148
HISTORY OF the WOMENS NCAA MARCH BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
[adrotate group=”1″] SELECTION SUNDAY FIRST GAME [wpcdt-countdown id=”15530″] [wpcdt-countdown id=”15537″] (People ask me why I don’t write about the Women’s March Madness. TIME ! I have 4 TVs going watching the men. Then posting the results, no time.) I did ask a friend if he would be willing to help with the womens tournament. He said yes. BUT I remebered his telling me about his Dad taking him to a PACERS game. He told me the Pacers were playing the Jets, and he thought Reggie Miller was a good quarterback. I decided to pass on his help. Thanks anyway. (No not looking for a volunteer outside my circle). SELECTION SUNDAY WILL TELECAST ON ESPN The NCAA women’s basketball tournament is an annual event that determines the national champion of Division I women’s college basketball in the United States. It began in 1982, following the dissolution of the AIAW, which had organized the women’s championship since 1972. The NCAA tournament has grown in popularity and prestige over the years, attracting millions of fans and producing some of the most memorable moments in women’s sports history. The tournament follows a similar format and selection process as the men’s tournament, with 68 teams competing in a single-elimination bracket. The teams are divided into four regions and seeded from 1 to 16, with the four lowest-seeded teams playing in the First Four games to advance to the first round. The regional winners then advance to the Women’s Final Four, where the national semifinals and final are held. The Women’s Final Four is usually scheduled on the same weekend as the men’s Final Four, but in a different host city. The most successful team in the history of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament is Connecticut, which has won 11 titles, including four consecutive championships from 2013 to 2016. The Huskies are coached by Geno Auriemma, who holds the record for the most wins in the tournament with 127. Other notable coaches who have led their teams to multiple titles include Pat Summitt of Tennessee, Tara VanDerveer of Stanford, Kim Mulkey of Baylor, and Muffet McGraw of Notre Dame. The tournament has also featured some of the greatest players in women’s basketball history, such as Cheryl Miller, Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, and Sabrina Ionescu. Some of the most memorable games in the tournament include the 1991 final between Tennessee and Virginia, which went to overtime and was decided by a buzzer-beater by Dena Head; the 1994 final between North Carolina and Louisiana Tech, which was also decided by a buzzer-beater by Charlotte Smith; the 2006 final between Maryland and Duke, which went to an extra period and was won by a layup by Kristi Toliver; and the 2018 semifinal between Notre Dame and Connecticut, which was won by a last-second shot by Arike Ogunbowale. The most recent champion of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament is LSU, which defeated Iowa 102-85 in the 2023 final in Dallas, Texas. It was the first title for the Tigers and their coach Kim Mulkey, who had previously won three titles with Baylor. The 2023 tournament was also notable for the historic performance of Iowa’s Caitlin Clark*, who averaged 34.2 points per game and became the first player to score 100 points in the first two round, *Iowa’s Caitlin Clark has already, (this season), set a new women’s scoring record, scoring now sits at 3,569 career points, with 15 games to go. (At this writing). [adrotate group=”1″] Views: 136
