Masquerade

The Masquerade Gala to Honor Fever's Tamika Catchings

The Masquerade, presented by PNC Bank, has dazzled attendees for many years with top-tier entertainment and recognition of leading Indiana sports figures and community leaders who have made a significant impact, and the tradition continues on Saturday, October 27, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

This year's event will recognize Tamika Catchings, the star of the Indiana Fever and three-time Olympic Gold medalist. The proceeds support Pacers Foundation and Simon Youth Foundation. Both Foundations work to ensure youth in need, in Indiana and across the country, are given education and other opportunities to better their lives. To date, The Masquerade has raised nearly $6 million for the two organizations.

Catchings has been one of the WNBA's brightest stars since she joined the Fever in 2001 after an outstanding collegiate career at University of Tennessee. She was voted the league's Most Valuable Player in 2011, and fans selected her that same year as one of the top 15 players in WNBA history. Tamika was Rookie of the Year in 2001, a seven-time WNBA All-Star and defensive player of the year in 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2012. She was an Olympic Gold Medalist in 2004, 2008 and 2012. In addition to her skill on the court, Catchings has a tremendous impact in the community. She is founder of Catch the Stars Foundation, which promotes literacy and mentoring among America's youth; she was a spokesperson for Indy's Super Cure; she has been the WNBA ambassador for its "Dribble To Stop Diabetes" campaign; and she participated with First lady Michelle Obama in her "Let's Move Tour" to combat childhood obesity.

Catchings is the first female Masquerade recipient and joins a distinguished roster of key local sports legends and community leaders recognized for their professional and civic contributions at The Masquerade. In previous years, Donnie Walsh, Clark Kellogg, Bobby "Slick" Leonard, Reggie Miller, Melvin and Herb Simon, the Hulman-George Family, Jeff Smulyan, Frank Hancock, Steve Stitle, and Rick Fuson have been honored.

The 2012 Masquerade title sponsor is PNC Bank, and the event is generously supported by the following major sponsors: Merrill Lynch, Melvin Simon & Associates, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Simon Property Group, Indianapolis Colts, Optimedia, Publicis, Fifth Third Bank and Sport Graphics. The evening begins with a reception at 6:00 p.m., followed by the dinner and tribute at 7:00 p.m. For ticket information, please contact Brandi Young at 317/263-7694 or byoung@simon.com.

Simon Youth Foundation, established in 1998, operates 23 Simon Youth Academies in 13 U.S. states that give at-risk high school students the same education they would receive in a traditional classroom while offering the flexibility that their individual circumstances require. Recipient of the Crystal Star Award of Excellence in Dropout Prevention from the National Dropout Prevention Center, the foundation has helped more than 8,000 students earn their high school diploma and provided more than $9.5 million in college scholarships to 3,200 students in 42 states through the Simon Youth Scholarships program. The Education Commission of the United States has recognized the foundation with its Corporate Award for sustained and substantial investment in improving public education.

Pacers Foundation encourages Indiana's youth to make winning life choices through contributions, scholarships and other community partnerships. For more information, visit www.pacersfoundation.org .