Although her playing days are over, Tamika Catchings has found a new job with the Indiana Fever. Not cool enough? How about working for the Pacers and the Fort Wayne Mad Ants?
On Monday, Pacers Sports and Entertainment made that scenario possible by announcing Catchings as their Director of Player Programs and Franchise Development. The organization runs the Fever, Mad Ants and Pacers.
In her newly created role, Catchings will engage in community outreach programs and work directly with players on speaking and presentation skills. One aim of this position is helping players find careers after basketball.
The 37-year-old carries a strong reputation in community relations. During her retirement tour last year, Catchings hosted events in every WNBA city to expand the outreach of her Catch the Stars foundation.
In a statement published by the Fever, team president and general manager Kelly Krauskopf noted the addition of Catchings to the front office would be a natural fit.
“As an organization, we are committed to the growth and development of our players. There is no one better who can have the kind of impact on our individual players like Tamika,” she said.
Making an impact has been the mantra for Catchings since she was drafted by the Fever in 2001. Along the way, she was named the regular season MVP in 2011 and won her first and only WNBA championship in 2012.
Spending her entire 15-year career at Indiana, Catchings retired as the WNBA’s all-time leader in rebounds, steals, offensive win shares and defensive win shares. She is also one of only three players to score more than 7,000 career points.