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Longtime Pacers executive Donnie Walsh is stepping away from the team after serving in several roles with the organization, including as its president and general manager, a Pacers Sports and Entertainment spokesman confirmed.
Walsh, 79, was most recently serving as a consultant for basketball operations, a post he took in 2013 when Larry Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball operations.
Walsh arrived at the Pacers in 1984 as an assistant coach. He was elevated to general manager two years later and named president in 1988. In 2008, he left the post, saying then that, “I think I’ve been here too long. … It’s just the right time for me to leave.”
At that time, the Pacers were last in the league in attendance and had suffered from problems with players, including a fight between a player and fans. But from 1988 to 2008, Walsh presided over 17 playoff appearances, including a trip to the NBA Finals in 2000.
Shortly after Walsh left the Pacers, the New York Knicks hired him to serve as that franchise’s president of basketball operations. He resigned from that job in 2011 and then returned to the Pacers in 2012 as president of basketball operations for one year, as Bird took a break for health reasons.
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Best basketball guy ever.
Second only behind Slick Leonard in basketball knowledge. Both are Pacer legends…..
Pacers were blessed with Donnie in their organization. Always led with class and grace. I go back to the Years Donnie was GM and Larry Brown was coaching the team. Those were incredible teams to watch as they played the game the way Hoosiers loved it. Thanks for the many fun years Donnie.
Donnie has been awesome for this organization. I have met him several times and he just loves to talk basketball. Enjoy your “retirement”. The Pacers will miss you
Thank you sir, for all you have done in our city!