Nancy Leonard, Matriarch of the Pacers, dies at 93

Post #1 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Wed Sep 24, 2025 2:10 pm

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2025/09/24/pacers-matriarch-nancy-leonard-slick-leonard-widow-has-died/86325258007/

Post #2 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Wed Sep 24, 2025 2:15 pm

Absolute legend of Indy sports. Glad she got to see such an exhilarating run in these last playoffs. Will be sad not to see her in her seats for the next one.

JMaster5K · Post #3 » by **JMaster5K** » Wed Sep 24, 2025 3:56 pm

Scoot McGroot wrote:Absolute legend of Indy sports. Glad she got to see such an exhilarating run in these last playoffs. Will be sad not to see her in her seats for the next one.

No words,...... an absolutely wonderful person. Still remember the telethon,... She will most definitely be missed.

Post #4 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Wed Sep 24, 2025 3:57 pm

Read on Twitter

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Post #5 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Wed Sep 24, 2025 3:58 pm

Read on Twitter

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Pacers Forever · Post #6 » by **Pacers Forever** » Wed Sep 24, 2025 8:52 pm

Long ago when I was a drug store manager in Indianapolis I was fortunate enough to meet Coach Bobby Leonard through my Miller Lite beer distributor (whom Leonard was associated with after his coaching retirement). He was awesome of course. I imagine that Nancy Leonard was just as friendly and wonderful to those lucky enough to meet her.

Wizop · Post #7 » by **Wizop** » Thu Sep 25, 2025 1:38 pm

JMaster5K wrote:
Scoot McGroot wrote:Absolute legend of Indy sports. Glad she got to see such an exhilarating run in these last playoffs. Will be sad not to see her in her seats for the next one.

No words,...... an absolutely wonderful person. Still remember the telethon,... She will most definitely be missed.

I remember the telethon too. There was a time when I had halftime access to a hospitality room at Pacer games. Nancy was usually there, too; she was friendly and completely approachable.

JMaster5K · Post #8 » by **JMaster5K** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 7:42 am

Wizop wrote:
JMaster5K wrote:
Scoot McGroot wrote:Absolute legend of Indy sports. Glad she got to see such an exhilarating run in these last playoffs. Will be sad not to see her in her seats for the next one.

No words,...... an absolutely wonderful person. Still remember the telethon,... She will most definitely be missed.

I remember the telethon too. There was a time when I had halftime access to a hospitality room at Pacer games. Nancy was usually there, too; she was friendly and completely approachable.

Met her and Slick at a couple of events after Pacers games,... decades ago, now. They generally hung around when something was going on. Like you said, very approachable. not just polite, but generally happy to talk to anyone,... particularly about the Pacers. IMO,.. they should be remembered somewhere in the arena? Cause literally, without exaggeration, if not for them,... we wouldn't have the Pacers today.