Former Indiana Pacers Co-Owner Richard Tinkham Jr. '54 Profiled in Newspaper

November 9, 2004

November 9, 2004, Greencastle, Ind. - "Richard Tinkham Jr. is not a household name in the Region," states the Northwest Indiana Times. "There are no schools, streets or expressways named after the 1950 Hammond grad -- an ex-track and basketball star at DePauw University, a reputable lawyer, and now a person specializing in small business mergers and acquisitions." The article calls Tinkham, a 1954 graduate of DePauw a "Region pioneer," noting co-founded of the American Basketball Association in 1967, was co-owner of the Indiana Pacers, chaired the 1976 NBA-ABA merger, and was instrumental in the building of Market Square Arena in Indianapolis.

"At an early age, I was subjected to multiple cultures and it's made me the person I am today," Tinkham tells the newspaper. "I don't see how I could've done it without being born in Hammond. It was a blue-collar, working-class community and it taught me to be compassionate. I didn't know what a wealthy person was until I moved to Indianapolis and was introduced to some."

The Times' Al Hamnik writes, "Tinkham remains up to his elbows in various projects, including a joint partnership in the 'reinvention' of the ABA in 35 cities that's scheduled to begin operation by the end of the month. 'We're aiming at smaller communities, with a salary cap. It's really minor league basketball but it's well organized and nationwide,' said Tinkham, highly critical of outrageous NBA salaries and those prohibitive ticket prices forced upon the average fan."

Read the story by clicking here. Richard Tinkham is a member of DePauw University's Athletic Hall of Fame.  Read more here.  

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