Conseco Fieldhouse flourishes in basketball history

By NICK POWILLS

With retro and old school in, the Conseco Fieldhouse feels like new again, embodying the old, yet stylish feel that gives visitors not just the experience of a basketball game or event, but the experience of basketball history as a whole.

ATMOSPHERE

When you step into Conseco, you are instantly greeted with quotes from basketball’s largest legends, artistically painted all over the main entrance. As you walk through the halls searching for your seat, trophy cases filled with basketball memorabilia and history widen your eyes. You feel as if you are actually in a basketball shrine – a rather large hall of fame that the game’s greatest athletes have graced with their presence.

Old-fashioned is the easiest way to describe the feelings inside the Fieldhouse. This is history. This is Hoosier basketball at its best.

The seating is just as special. It is as if you are in an old basketball movie. No matter where you sit, you are in the game. This innovative fieldhouse is sure to make you lose your breath at least a few times throughout the night while reveling in NBA, CBA, college and high school basketball history.

The atmosphere is tops!

CROWD

There’s one thing Hoosiers know – basketball. This state eats, breathes, and sleeps basketball, so you know the crowd is going to be into the game. Young and old, the fans know the sport and are intent on watching every single play as it pushes the Pacers closer to a victory at the end of the night.

Disappointment filled the hearts of Hoosiers throughout the 90s as the Chicago Bulls beat up on Reggie Miller and his Pacers. However, now that the Bulls have been dismantled, the fans are a little more at ease with victories being tacked onto the Pacers’ record at a rapid pace.

ENTERTAINMENT

The Fieldhouse was designed for basketball, so, unfortunately, it is not a friendly building for concerts, hockey and other events. Perhaps Indianapolis should eliminate all other activity for the Fieldhouse and allow it to be strictly a basketball stadium. Makes sense to me.

The sound quality lacks the spark needed for a concert, and center ice is not dead center for hockey games. For this, some tickets are not even sold for hockey games.

GRUB

You have your regular basketball/sporting event food – the nachos and beer and hot dogs and burgers. But to bump up the need for style of the arena, there is a large Starbucks at the entrance. There are also a few different food stands and cocktail bars.

But for those looking for a different, better type of taste, Conseco does offer matzo ball soup if you look hard enough on the club level.

WHY IT’S UNIQUE

The Fieldhouse is in the perfect downtown location, with just about every extra activity within walking distance. Circle Centre mall, the historic warehouse district, World Mardi Gras, Brewski’s and Flashbaxx are all within minutes.

So after taking in the action of a game with the night still being young, there is plenty for you and your friends to do to keep the night trucking. Whether the Pacers pulled out a victory or you need to drown your sorrows, there’s a place nearby to do that – although we always hope for a need for celebration.