Inspiration. Some of us seek it, and others live it. Dynamic vision and drive can be hard to come by for many of us, but some people naturally have a knack for getting people enthused about their passions. If you’re looking for this kind of inspiration, you should meet Olivia West.
Not so long ago, West was a humble girl hailing from La Porte, Indiana, with her sights set on college success and planning for the future. With a full-ride scholarship to Purdue, West originally pursued agricultural economics with the hopes of becoming a helpful resource within her hometown. One fateful night at an Indiana Fever game set her on a different path, one that has her hyping and helping her community as host of the Indiana Pacers and Fever basketball teams.
“I came upon this opportunity in a nontraditional way,” says West. “I was sitting at a Fever game by myself and I was suddenly hit with this need to get involved. But I didn’t know anyone and I didn’t study media, so it was interesting to have this overwhelming feeling. I decided to just ask.”
After a bit of internet sleuthing, West discovered who was in charge of the Fever and Pacers entertainment, and decided to simply ask if she could be involved. After a few seasons, she was given her chance. Now, she spends her evenings hyping crowds in Gainbridge Fieldhouse. And she is killing it.
“It’s a real blessing and privilege to serve as emcee and host for Indiana basketball,” she says. “Where I come from, basketball is in our blood. “It’s been an invaluable way for me to spend time in our community, doing what I love, activating brands and fans, and enjoying and loving the game of basketball.”
West exudes a spark that is nearly magnetic, allowing her to pump up the crowds and boost the energy in the stadium. Whether she is roaming the crowds, promoting sponsors and community partners, or showcasing brands, West brings personality and positivity to every single game.
“Indiana is a very special place for basketball,” she says. “In 49 states it’s just basketball, but Indiana has a very rich history and amazing, legendary, bold story when it comes to basketball and how we continue to make statements in the sport. I’m honored to be a part of that story.”
But she also wants to go beyond the basketball court to bring her passion to other areas within her community. West has her sights firmly set on driving good wherever she goes, and connecting others with her storytelling gifts.
“I have this gift of gab and I didn’t realize that not everyone has this,” she says. “But for me, it’s about so much more than being on the basketball court. There are so many things that I want to do. I want to go so much farther and be a force for good in my community.”
She hopes to use her passion to help motivate others by speaking at community events, hosting ceremonies, emceeing fundraisers and delivering other notable keynote speeches.
“I want to be someone who is valuable and goes deeper into these critical conversations to encourage people to bring their best every single day,” she says. “I want to use the power of community to truly impact people’s lives.”
Recently, she has felt called to help empower students to forge their own paths. West feels that sharing her own journey will help students to become leaders, entrepreneurs, change makers and innovators.
“We all have a gift and something to contribute to the bigger puzzle,” she says. “It’s about more than the hype. We have to find ways to be the most valuable we can be, and students don’t often know how to do that. I was there not too long ago myself. So I share my story in hopes that it will land on someone who needs to hear it.”
Next year she hopes to continue her work fostering the love of basketball around the world. She will be emceeing Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball in Nashville, Tennessee, and hopes to participate in the NBA All-Star event taking place in San Francisco. Her larger goals involve partnering with Basketball Africa League, an affiliate of the NBA, to help grow the game of basketball throughout the African continent.
“We use basketball as a platform to help invest in people, and that’s what I want to do – help people be the best they can be,” she says.
If you want to see her in action, be sure to grab your Pacers or Fever tickets this season.
“I would not be here without the opportunity the Pacers and Fevers teams gave me,” she says. “But how can I reach those people who may not be coming to the games? I want to share my story and inspire those who aren’t in the arena.”
To learn more about West, visit oliviawestspeaks.com.
