The Indianapolis sports scene (Butler, Denver: employment, high school, college)

[dacx]

Looking for a new place to live someone suggested Indianapolis as a possibility. As I was reading a little more about the city I came across one posting that stated Indianapolis is great for "sports-nuts".

However, for a city it's size, you only have 2 of the 5 major sport leagues.

So you think Indianapolis could support NHL, MLB and MLS? How come none of them exist in the city now? I think that I heard once about Indianapolis trying to get a MLB team but has there been any talk about trying to get NHL or MLS? Where would they play?

Also, as a rule is High School Basketball as big in Indiana as it is made out to be? (Yes, I know I'm talking about the whole state here yet posting it on the Indianapolis thread but I figure you should still know. )

Anyone watch Friday Night Lights (about High School football in Texas)? For the most part, it really is that big in Texas. How would you compare HS basketball in Indiana to HS football in Texas?

Looking forward to responses.

[Toxic Toast]

Indianapolis metro is not big enough to support more major league teams than we have. Most similarly aized metros have at most, 2 major league teams. There was talk of the Indianapolis Arrows many years ago, but that fell by the wayside and there are no serious talks of bringing any more major league teams here.

HS Basketball is not as big here has it used to be. It certainly does not compare to Texas' love of HS football.

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by dacx

Looking for a new place to live someone suggested Indianapolis as a possibility. As I was reading a little more about the city I came across one posting that stated Indianapolis is great for "sports-nuts".

However, for a city it's size, you only have 2 of the 5 major sport leagues.

So you think Indianapolis could support NHL, MLB and MLS? How come none of them exist in the city now? I think that I heard once about Indianapolis trying to get a MLB team but has there been any talk about trying to get NHL or MLS? Where would they play?

Also, as a rule is High School Basketball as big in Indiana as it is made out to be? (Yes, I know I'm talking about the whole state here yet posting it on the Indianapolis thread but I figure you should still know. )

Anyone watch Friday Night Lights (about High School football in Texas)? For the most part, it really is that big in Texas. How would you compare HS basketball in Indiana to HS football in Texas?

Looking forward to responses.

Indiana HS basketball today is not even as big as HS football in Ohio or Pennsylvania, let alone Texas. Now, college basketball is big here with the proximity of IU and Purdue and the corresponding alumni that live here. And let's not forget last year's Cinderella, the Butler Bulldogs.

As Toxic noted, most similarly-sized metros have only two major league sports franchises. You also have to consider Indy's proximity to Cincinnati and Chicago (hence, why MLB will never come here). The hockey following here is small, and professional soccer barely registers. Those who do follow soccer here are more likely to follow the EPL than MLS (myself included).

So the sports culture in Indy, aside from the Colts and Pacers, is mostly driven by collegiate sports and the number of big events held here.

[dacx]

That is something I totally did not think about. The metro size.

I was comparing the size of Indianapolis proper to the cities of Denver and Seattle.

Denver and Seattle are smaller and are able to support 3-5 major league sports but, now since you mentioned it, I think the metro size of both is larger.

[sirrob]

And as far as basketball, the Pacers are BARELY holding on by a thread! As far as baseball, Indy would probably have a MLB team by now, if it weren't for Chicago and Cincy's co**blocking. You've got the Nats, O's and Phillies co-existing, why can't the Reds, Cubs and an Indy team work together? I guess the Indy metro population is it's biggest problem.

[wh15395]

Originally Posted by sirrob

And as far as basketball, the Pacers are BARELY holding on by a thread! As far as baseball, Indy would probably have a MLB team by now, if it weren't for Chicago and Cincy's co**blocking. You've got the Nats, O's and Phillies co-existing, why can't the Reds, Cubs and an Indy team work together? I guess the Indy metro population is it's biggest problem.

It is really sad what is happening to the Pacers. They are never bad enough to get a solid draft pick and never good enough to make the playoffs. Pacers tickets used to be a hot item a few years ago and now you can get them for free. Indy can't really support any other sports teams though, but I would like to say Indy is still a sports obsessed city. The most interesting part is with racing because I'm sure no other major city cares about racing as much as Indianapolis.

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by sirrob

And as far as basketball, the Pacers are BARELY holding on by a thread!

The same could be said about the Colts in this city on more than one occasion. The Pacers will be back, just the like Colts will some day struggle again to achieve a 1-15 record in front of a half empty stadium.

[LIS123]

Originally Posted by dacx

That is something I totally did not think about. The metro size.

I was comparing the size of Indianapolis proper to the cities of Denver and Seattle.

Denver and Seattle are smaller and are able to support 3-5 major league sports but, now since you mentioned it, I think the metro size of both is larger.

Do you know what you'll be doing employment or school wise when you move to Indianapolis? Are you considering a move to Indy for a specific reason? Do you have ties to the area?

The reason I ask is that I'd be reluctant to recommend that someone move to Indy cross country without a specific reason, be it personal, exceptional professional opportunity, etc.

It's an area that many people have lived in for a long time and, while new friends can be made, it can be difficult. The city (and metro area) is very spread out.

I'll let others inform you about Indy and sports, but think carefully before moving. Knowing what I know now (having lived in Indy for almost 1 year), I would not move to Indy from so far away without a specific reason.

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by LIS123

The reason I ask is that I'd be reluctant to recommend that someone move to Indy cross country without a specific reason, be it personal, exceptional professional opportunity, etc.

It's an area that many people have lived in for a long time and, while new friends can be made, it can be difficult. The city (and metro area) is very spread out.

I would disagree with this. I personnally know as many people who are not from Indianapolis as people who are native to the area.

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by Toxic Toast

I would disagree with this. I personnally know as many people who are not from Indianapolis as people who are native to the area.

Ditto. I've lived in the Indy area for nearly 15 years after living the first 26 outside of Indiana. I've never had any problem making new friends, and I've found folks here to be very welcoming of outsiders. In fact, I find that to be one of the great things about Indy -- none of the provicialism that you hear of in other cities (e.g. "Where did you go to high school?")