Indiana Sports Corp Partners With Butler University on Institute for Sports & Entertainment

Butler University is launching an Institute for Sports and Entertainment and will partner with the Indiana Sports Corp as part of the organization’s 2050 strategy to become the global capital of sports and entertainment.

The Butler initiative, known also as BISE, will serve for developing the talent, research, and partnerships needed to fuel the region’s influence on the sports and entertainment industries. Butler leadership identified synergies within the “Sports Academia” pillar of the Sport Corp’s 2050 Vision and BISE was designed to complement and support that pillar.

The Hamilton County Sports Authority will serve as BISE’s first partner, as Butler students and faculty will serve on the communication and marketing team for the LIV Golf Indianapolis tournament August 15—17 at The Club at Chatham Hills.

“At Indiana Sports Corp, we believe that shaping the future of sports starts with investing in people—and the launch of the Butler Institute for Sports & Entertainment does exactly that,” said Sarah Myer, Indiana Sports Corp chief of staff & strategy. “TBy connecting world-class education with real-world experiences, Butler is creating a pipeline of talent that will elevate our region and industry. We’re excited to partner with BISE to fuel innovation, develop future leaders and further solidify Indianapolis as a global destination for sports and entertainment.”

Butler Professor Bob Schultz, who previously held leadership roles with Downtown Indy, Inc. and Visit Indy, will lead BISE. Schultz has worked on local organizing committees for large-scale sporting events in Indianapolis including the 2012 Super Bowl, 2021 College Football Championship Game, 2024 NBA All-Star Game and every Men’s Final Four since 2003.

“Butler University has a strong foundation in athletics and arts and building upon that foundation to make our Midtown campus a destination for sports, arts, and entertainment is a strategic priority as we look toward our own future,” said Joseph Valenzano, dean of Butler’s College of Communication. “We have premier facilities like Hinkle Fieldhouse and Clowes Memorial Hall, strong academic programs in Sports Media and Sports Management, dedicated faculty who are mentoring some of the nation’s brightest students, and a well-earned reputation for leading innovation within higher education. Butler University is the ideal academic partner to help ISC achieve its goals.”

Over the past two years, Butler University students have served on Street Teams welcoming visitors to the city for the NBA All-Star Game and the USA Swimming Olympic Trials. BISE will employ faculty and students from Butler’s College of Communication, Lacy School of Business and College of Education.

“Our students are going to get practical, real-world experience that will propel them as they start their careers,” said Craig Caldwell, dean of Butler’s Lacy School of Business. “Additionally, central Indiana sports and entertainment organizations—many of which have limited staff and resources—will benefit from the bench-strength Butler can provide. It’s a win-win for all involved.”