In Indiana, basketball is more than a game; it’s a time-honored tradition. From the classic movie “Hoosiers” to the championship banners in Assembly Hall and Butler’s unforgettable tournament runs under Brad Stevens, the sport is a source of immense pride for the state.
The Horizon League boasts a proud tradition of athletic excellence and the development of student-athletes. Founded in 1979 with six charter members, it expanded quickly, adding women’s sports in 1986. Now with 11 member institutions, the Horizon League is dedicated to promoting growth in both academics and athletics. It remains grounded in core values of student-athlete well-being, integrity, respect and stewardship.
While student-athletes are the heart of what makes this conference great, the unsung heroes working behind the scenes ensure everything runs smoothly. One such individual is JR Renbarger, who serves as the chair of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC). The LOC is an organization that works closely with the Horizon League to help plan and execute events around Indianapolis such as the Barbasol Horizon League Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships.
This tournament happens annually and is the first step for teams on the road to March Madness. It is a major event for the conference and one that takes extensive effort to prepare.
“This will be the sixth year that the Horizon League has hosted its Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships at the Corteva Coliseum,” Renbarger says. “By the time the tournament reaches Indianapolis on March 10 and 11, the final four teams on both the men’s and women’s side will compete to crown a conference champion. The conference champions automatically qualify for the NCAA tournament so there is a lot of excitement in the building throughout the event.”
While many similar tournaments happen around the same time, the Horizon League tournament shines as a testament to local cooperation and hospitality.
Luke Bosso, current athletic director at IU Indianapolis and former chair of the LOC for this event, takes immense pride in what Indianapolis and the Horizon League have been able to accomplish together.
“Being in Indianapolis and the hospitality of our residents are what make this a major event,” Bosso says. “We treat this championship how we treat all our large-scale events that the city hosts. First, to be able to get 15 to 20 local leaders to serve on the Local Organizing Committee is unique to Indianapolis. This group consists of leaders and people who want to make a difference in Indianapolis. Second, there is a strong emphasis on ensuring student-athletes get a great experience. They stay in the heart of downtown and travel to the games via police escort. They also get to hear from local leaders like the governor, mayor and other dignitaries. The venue itself is also part of the uniqueness. How many people can say they played basketball in the same venue that the Beatles performed in?”
The tournament is entering its sixth time being held in Indianapolis. Each successive year has brought record numbers of revenue and attendance, securing the event in place until at least 2026. While success can be measured by those metrics, other intangibles continue to make a difference in people’s lives.
Kelley Ford is currently serving as the associate commissioner for basketball and analytics for the Horizon League, having joined in 2017.
“This event is unique in the sense that it’s about more than just basketball,” Ford says. “One of our primary goals is to build this into a long-term community event in Indianapolis that engages, inspires and connects the Indianapolis community. One of the ways we are accomplishing that goal is through our amplifying events. We have the KeyBank International Women’s Day, which features a panel including some of Indy’s leading sports trailblazers regarding their continuing efforts to inspire and advance women. We have the Anthem School Day, which invites upwards of 3,000 elementary-school-aged children in the greater Indianapolis area to our women’s championship game, providing many of them with the opportunity to attend a college basketball game for the first time. We have the Valeo Fan Zone, which provides fans a fun and inclusive space to eat, drink and socialize between games. And finally we have an annual Officially Human symposium, which is designed to assist with the recruitment and retention of officials, which is critical to the long-term health of youth and collegiate sports alike.”
Women’s basketball is nothing new for Indianapolis. The Fever have been a source of pride for many years, and with the addition of phenom Caitlin Clark, there is no limit to how high it can go. The Horizon League is doing its part in advancing women’s basketball as well.
“Our board of directors recently approved our Men’s and Women’s Basketball Performance and Excellence Funds,” Ford says. “This will earmark nearly $1,000,000 to be earned and distributed to our membership for meeting certain excellence benchmarks in men’s and women’s basketball. We are the only league in the nation doing something like this for both genders.”
Shawn Sullivan serves as associate commissioner for branding, messaging and strategic initiatives for the Horizon League. He knows firsthand how much of an impact the tournament can have on Indianapolis residents and neighborhoods.
“Living only a few blocks from the Corteva Coliseum, it has been a real treat meeting basketball fans and families who circle these dates on the calendar each year,” Sullivan says. “Affordable family fun, and Division I men’s and women’s teams punching their tickets to the Big Dance on national television in our neighborhood, is a big deal.”
Overall, events like this are great for Indianapolis and for everyone who takes part.
If you would like more information about the Horizon League or the Barbasol Horizon League Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, visit horizonleague.org, or follow them on social media.
