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Sports Business
CHRIS KATTERJOHN Commentary: Newsman reflects on iconic past
July 24, 2006
One of the great things about being a newspaperman is that you get the inside scoop on everything. Even more so than reporters,
editors have a unique perspective because they are in on the details of all the big news that's breaking. They are also privy
to lots of information and background that doesn't end up in print for one reason or another. So it is with a sense of collegial
empathy that I highly recommend an upcoming book by...
MoreTOM HARTON Commentary: Driving the distance for the basics
July 17, 2006
I recently called my doctor's office hoping he could squeeze me in to diagnose a minor, but annoying, health problem. His
nurse informed me I wouldn't be able to get an appointment for at least three days. She suggested I go to an immediate-care
facility if I needed attention right away. I was surprised the doctor couldn't see me, but I appreciated the nurse's candor.
She knew better than to cheerfully suggest an appointment days in the future, by which...
MoreSPORTS Bill Benner: Giving up the corner office to follow your passion
July 17, 2006
My friend, former boss and fellow Jimmy Buffett Parrothead, Dale Neuburger, asked that I not turn this into one of those "Where
are they now?" pieces because (A) he hasn't been gone that long and (B) he hasn't gone that far. With regards to the latter,
Neuburger still occupies an office in Pan Am Plaza, though not the top-floor corner office with its dramatic view of the city
skyline, one of the perks associated with the presidency of the Indiana...
MoreBULLS & BEARS: Use paper, fifth-grade math to track investment results
July 17, 2006
Ken SkarbeckThroughout history, we have devised methods to calculate and measure results for all kinds of activities. In academics, we
have grading systems that measure student performance. In sports, the most important factor in any game is the score. But
when it comes to keeping track of investment results, I suspect that many investors do not have a good grasp on how well their
money has performed. Attempting to keep a mental scorecard of the rate of return on your investments...
MorePlayers' desire to shorten season could doom RCA Championships
July 17, 2006
Anthony SchoettleOfficials for the WTA, which represents women professional players, and the ATP, which represents men, are considering shortening
the lengthy tennis calendar by imposing a short offseason-possibly a three-week, midyear respite that would collide with the
RCA Championships.
MoreSPORTS: Ames, Iowa: site of my 'goose-bump' sports moment
July 10, 2006
Bill BennerI've been blessed to experience a multitude of "goose-bump" moments in sports. Watching Indiana's Hoosiers complete a perfect
season and win a national basketball title in Philadelphia. Jack Nicklaus capturing a Masters at age 46. Hoosier Fuzzy Zoeller
winning a U.S. Open at Winged Foot in a playoff with Greg Norman. A New Castle/Batesville high school basketball regional
championship game at Chrysler Fieldhouse that epitomized all that boys' basketball used to be in Indiana. So many incredible
performances at Olympic...
MoreAnimated startup foresees big growth in life sciences: Company produces 3-D graphics with young talent
July 10, 2006
Scott OlsonHarlon Wilson and Kurtis Rush originally intended their Indianapolis-based upstart business to provide 3-D animation for use
in court cases. But if they had stuck to that business plan, Medical Animatics Inc. could not have produced the video to the
hilarious "Urine Stream," a song parody of Abba's "Dancing Queen." Here's a sample of the chorus: So when you get the chance,
undo your pants ... And make a urine stream, gold and clean, oh it's such a dream. Urine...
MoreNOTIONS: Hailing the hare in the land of the tepid tortoise
July 10, 2006
Bruce HetrickI was going to play smart aleck this week. I was going to write in hick dialect. I was going to lambaste us Hoosiers over
our stubborn adherence to the status quo, our penchant to take things slow, our preference for partisanship, our pooh-poohing
of progress and our bull-headed gumption to go it alone in a global economy. Then news broke that Indiana has the highest
high school dropout rate in America. So I figured that for two reasons, I'd...
MoreWestview soldiers on amid health care explosion: Hospital fares well against larger, newer competition
July 10, 2006
Tom MurphyA touch-screen directory, a grove of potted trees and a muffin-bearing kiosk greet visitors entering the six-story atrium
at the new Clarian North Medical Center in Carmel. A much milder scene awaits people walking into Westview Hospital a few
miles away, on the west side of Indianapolis. There, a lonely player piano spills soft tunes into a one-story lobby filled
with clusters of chairs and pamphlets on volunteering. "Quiet! Healing in Progress" reads a nearby sign. Indiana's lone osteopathic
hospital...
MoreColts waiting list grows fast: Despite hot ticket sales, team makes big marketing push to ensure new stadium will be sold
out
July 3, 2006
Anthony SchoettleThe Indianapolis Colts in early July will unleash its most aggressive marketing campaign ever-even though demand for tickets,
club seats and corporate suites at its RCA Dome home exceeds supply. The push is all about the future. Billboards around the
state will proclaim that those who want to see games in Lucas Oil Stadium when it opens in 2008 "better not wait until the
dust settles," said Tom Zupancic, Colts senior vice president of sales and marketing. Some radio, television...
MoreSPORTS: Another victory for Indy-at Chicago's expense
July 3, 2006
Bill BennerFirst the Big Ten basketball tournaments. Now the Western Open. Maybe those broad shoulders are beginning to sag a bit. The
news that Chicago-longtime host of the prestigious Western Open-is now going to share its PGA Tour stop with Indianapolis/Carmel
(Crooked Stick), St. Louis (Bellerive) and quite likely Minneapolis (Hazeltine National) was another blow that sucked some
of the air out of the Windy City. Chicago Tribune golf writer Ed Sherman called it "the worst deal for Chicago golf fans...
MoreLocal equestrian show jumps into limelight: Only 2 years old, competition has grown into major event
July 3, 2006
Anthony SchoettleIn only its second year, a unique Indianapolis equestrian competition is gaining a following among equine enthusiasts well
beyond Indiana. And organizers already are planning to expand the event into one of the nation's largest hunter/jumper competitions.
Craig Dobbs attracted nearly 400 horses to the inaugural Circle City Equestrian 500 last year, even though he began preparations
only five months beforehand and had no marketing budget. This year, Dobbs said, more than 600 horses will compete at the show
at...
MoreSPORTS: From ticket manager to 'Mr. Baseball' in 50 years
June 26, 2006
Bill BennerNot surprisingly, Indianapolis Indians President Max Schumacher and Victory Field, his own field of dreams, have something
in common. Neither Max nor the ballpark looks anywhere close to their age. And by the happy coincidence of timing, there will
be a double celebration at that downtown beauty of a ballpark July 16. Recognition will be made of Victory Field's 10th anniversary.
Hard to believe, but it's been a decade since that pristine night, July 11, 1996, when the gates flew...
MoreDriving through adversity: First-time team owner uses business fundamentals to help reach the finish line
June 26, 2006
Matthew KishIt's been a bumpy ride for Michael Crawford this year. Scratch that-it's been like driving into a concrete wall at 190 miles
per hour. Repeatedly. The rookie race team owner put his financial livelihood on the line this year to buy two cars and run
them in the Indy Pro Series, the open-wheel racing equivalent of AAA baseball, one step below the major leagues. IBJ is following
Crawford's progress in hopes of shedding light on the challenges startups face when...
MoreSPORTS: High school hoops border war reduced to a scuffle
June 19, 2006
Bill BennerOften, when I'm asked to give talks reflecting on the success of the sports initiative in Indianapolis, I use summertime as
an illustration. Back in the old days-and you know you're getting old when "old days" refer to anything pre-1970-Indy's June-July-August
sports menu could pretty much be written on a single page and in large type. Once the Indianapolis 500 came and went on Memorial
Day, about the only thing to do was wait for the start of college and...
MoreHilbert estate drawing some offers: Letterman, Babyface, Judd not interested
June 19, 2006
Tom MurphyColts quarterback Peyton Manning passed on a chance to buy the Carmel estate built for Conseco Inc. founder Stephen Hilbert
that's on the market for a cool $20 million. Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal also rejected the opportunity a couple of times,
real estate broker Dick Richwine said. Nearly a year after it went up for sale, the Carmel property labeled the most expensive
home in Indiana is still searching for the right buyer. But a recent flurry of interest and...
MoreDiving for Dollars: Carmel water park looks to make splash by soaking up naming-rights deals
June 12, 2006
Anthony SchoettleCarmel water park looks to make splash by soaking up naming-rights deals Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation has a novel business
plan for the $55 million Monon Center at Central Park project that includes selling sponsorships and naming rights for its
10-acre water park and other attractions, possibly even for the entire venue. The mammoth development-which will feature meeting
space along with sports facilities, including the water park and fishing lagoons-is under construction and won't open for
nine months. But the...
MoreBRIAN WILLIAMS Commentary: Program opens eyes to community needs
June 12, 2006
In 1973, an automobile accident inspired a mother to create a dynamic memorial to the accomplishments of her son and for the
benefit of the community in which he lived. For 30 years, the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series has offered a unique
perspective to 25 individuals on the issues confronting our city and region. Guided by a moderator through tours, seminars,
reading and interaction with experts, the participants debate education, government, health and human services, the justice
system,...
MoreIUPUI again running in the fast lane: Track facility emerges nationally after long absence
June 12, 2006
Anthony SchoettleFor its first 15 years after opening in 1982, the Michael A. Carroll Track & Field Stadium on the IUPUI campus hosted a major
national or international trackand-field event almost annually. For the last decade, it's been primarily relegated to charity
events and local grade-school championships. But with the first high-profile competition at the track since 1997 scheduled
for this month, the venue is poised for rebirth. From June 21-25, it will host the U.S. National Championships-an event organizers
hope...
MoreSPORTS: City's full-court press pays off with tourney victory
June 12, 2006
Bill BennerBefore the press conference announcing the Big Ten's decision about the future of its men's and women's basketball tournaments,
I pleaded-to no avail-with Conseco Fieldhouse Executive Director Rick Fuson to post a score on the fieldhouse board. Indy
5, Windy 0. He was right in refusing to play along. It's always good to take the high road. No sense rubbing Chicago's nose
in the news that the Big Ten had awarded the tournaments to our burg for five successive years...
MoreFirm finds direct approach pays off: Marketing Informatics, part of hot industry, sees revenue rise by $28 million in 3 years
June 5, 2006
Anthony SchoettleBob Massie came to Indianapolis in 1985 to preach the Word of God. Twenty-one years later, he's spreading the messages of
Indiana businesses, not from a pulpit, but through direct-mail advertising. Massie is shepherding a fastgrowing flock of clients.
His company's revenue has grown from $1.86 million in 2003 to a projected $30 million this year. The growth of Massie's firm,
Marketing Informatics, reflects the growth of the industry. Directmail advertising is growing more than 15 percent annually,
according to...
MoreNOTIONS: Fighting mountains, oceans with human connections
June 5, 2006
Bruce HetrickDuring the 1992 presidential campaign, H. Ross Perot used the phrase "that giant sucking sound" to describe what he feared
would be a rush of American jobs into Mexico should the U.S. approve the North American Free Trade Agreement. In Indiana's
2006 economy, "that giant sucking sound" describes the rush of Indiana talent across the state line to anywhere but here.
In a phenomenon known as the "brain drain," Indiana exports more young talent than it imports. But suppose we...
MoreSPORTS: Two Sams make most of their day at the Brickyard
June 5, 2006
Bill BennerWe often hear the sad refrain that the Indianapolis 500 "isn't what it used to be." I would concede the point, although, after
last week's scintillating victory by Sam Hornish Jr., the pendulum unquestionably is swinging back in a positive direction.
And while there may be fewer people in the seats and, certainly, fewer drunks in the infield, it remains the largest single-day
sporting event in the world, which is a fact and not a marketing slogan. Sometimes you have...
MoreDanica deal just one of many for MainGate: Firm looks to relocate as profits soar 828 percent
June 5, 2006
Anthony SchoettleWith a deep history in motorsports, it would be understandable if officials for Indianapolis-based MainGate were focused solely
on their recently signed exclusive licensing deal with racing diva Danica Patrick. After all, Patrick's merchandise outsold
all other Indy Racing League drivers combined last year, and since MainGate has taken over making, distributing and selling
her merchandise this year, sales have tripled, company officials said. But with the company busting at the seams and a wave
of new business from various...
MoreEYE ON THE PIE: Let's tax phone, Internet, TV usage
May 29, 2006
Morton MarcusFelicity Futenmouth and I went to graduate school together. Her career in economics focused on consumer services provided
by such first-class firms as MegaMedia, MegaMarkets and MegaMercenaries. We became reacquainted lately at our class's 35th
reunion. Over a nightcap of hot chocolate and biscuits, she enticed me with a coy question: "How do you feel about local taxes?"
"I am all for them," I responded. "If you don't have local taxes, you don't have a strong claim on the responsibility...
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Doug Henning!
These guy were thugs — they grew up in freaking Haughville! Smh, sigh. If the mayor needs/wants "quality" Black Hoosiers who are NOT corrupt, give me a call — I know plenty. Land bank info here - http://www.kubepharm.com/indylandbank/IndyLandBank.html
Magician and illusionist!
The basic idea of nice apartments with parking and retail is a good one, but this design seems overwhelmingly big/tall for Broad Ripple. The size could be disguised a bit with lots of big trees/landscaping, but the complex is too massive to blend in easily. That section of canal between College and Westfield will also need to be upgraded on both sides. Nice apartments facing onto a nice promenade with shade trees/plantings could bring together the canal towpath/Monon recreation, the outdoor seating at existing restaurants, and this project into something that upgrades the whole area. A plan for the whole stretch makes more sense than facing nice new housing onto what looks like a ditch. Is there a plan? Does the public have input? Who pays? The apartment idea seems to be reasonable, but Whole Foods is not a good idea for appropriate retail. Besides the store being physically too big, there are already Fresh Market at 54xCollege and Whole Foods in Nora for fancy groceries. Good Earth and Kroger are within walking distance of the Shell site. There are at least 7 grocery stores within a safe bike ride. Whole Foods would add nothing but traffic congestion. This design is on the right track, but there needs to be more work done to ensure that it blends in with and enhances the existing community. A project that large will set a tone for that whole part of town. It could be a real asset, but only if done right.
I did not move to Zionsville to live in Carmel. This and the subsequent developments to follow will ensure a vanilla uniformity of strip malls and apartment buildings as we seek to bring our town down to the least common denominator. We were warned before recent elections that pro-development council members would make sure their friends (landowners and developers) would be able to make their millions off of the exploitation of Zionsville. Why in God's name would we sell out the best preserved small town in the State of Indiana?