Bringing the energy for fans and finding purpose

Purdue alumna Olivia West reflects on her journey as the in-game host for the Indiana Pacers during the NBA playoffs

If you’ve ever attended Indiana Pacers or Fever games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, you’ve probably heard in-game host Olivia West’s energetic voice, hyping up fans throughout the arena.   

This is undoubtedly an exciting time for Pacers fans. For the first time in 25 years, the home team in this basketball-obsessed state is competing in the NBA Finals. 

“You can’t go anywhere in Indiana and not feel the basketball culture running through the spirit of this city, the town, community — whatever it looks like,” says West, who graduated from Purdue in 2021 with a degree in agricultural economics. 

West feels that spirit running through fans at every game. They’re her favorite part of basketball, inspiring and motivating her in the arena. 

“In a world where we’re so distracted by our phones, basketball creates an environment where you want to be locked in,” says West, who began hosting games for the Pacers in October 2023. “And I’m a part of that experience. I’m a part of the vibe, of the zeal of that environment, and that’s something that I don’t take lightly at all.” 

Speaking ahead of Game 6 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, she can’t wait to see what happens next. 

“If something crazy happens in a basketball game, people will be talking about it for the rest of their lives,” West says.  

‘B.C. and A.C.’

The dynamic host is just as enthusiastic about the Fever’s future and fans. It’s easy to see why they shower love and passion on the team — led by superstar point guard Caitlin Clark — and its coach, Purdue alumna Stephanie White. 

Clark famously awakened a new fervor for the WNBA and basketball for global audiences. West jokingly refers to this phenomenon and Clark’s impact on the franchise as “B.C. and A.C.” — before and after Caitlin.   

“I cannot help but be inspired by being around these women, these change-makers, these women who are being legendary every single day out on the court. I apply that to my own life,” she says.   

Big dreams, giant leaps

“You have to have a vision because when you can see it, you can be it.”  

West came to emceeing in an unconventional way, but it felt like kismet. As a lifelong basketball fan and player, and Indiana native, she spent years making connections, learning key skills and pursuing her wildest dreams. 

But there was a time while at Purdue when West wasn’t sure what her career path would look like. Hoping to be inspired and challenged, she attended every lecture she could during the university’s 150th anniversary celebration in 2019.   

Being in proximity to visionaries and thought leaders like Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple and tech entrepreneur, and Randall Lewis, Fortune 500 tech and finance executive and member of the Dean’s Advisory Council for the Daniels School of Business, pushed her to dream big and experience a mindset shift where she could envision herself being valued for her intellect and talent.   

“I think one of my favorite things about my time at Purdue is it was like a shipyard,” West says. “You just had all these pieces and tools everywhere, and it was up to you to learn how to build the boat that you wanted to be on.”   

Once you have a true vision for the value that you want to provide, you’ve got to go after that with everything you have. I see that pulled through on the basketball court every single day.

Olivia WesT

In-game host, Indiana Pacers and Fever

Taking a chance

After graduating from Purdue and working in the agriculture and health care sectors, she found herself yearning for something different. So she decided to take a giant leap. 

Driven by her love of basketball and natural talent for public speaking, she reached out to the Fever about hosting opportunities.   

West was initially rejected but was determined to make her dream happen. She tried again the next year and secured an audition. And the rest was history. 

She officially joined the Fever as a host in May 2023.   

“Once you have a true vision for the value that you want to provide, you’ve got to go after that with everything you have. I see that pulled through on the basketball court every single day,” she says.

Amplifying her story

“I speak with the lens of using your voice to provide value — turning conversations into contributions.”  

When she’s not at Gainbridge, West travels as an inspirational speaker, connecting with students and professionals and sharing her unique journey as a Purdue alum who found her purpose by becoming an NBA and WNBA in-game host.   

West speaks about keys to success, the power of persistence and ways to overcome challenges, all while sharing personal, relatable anecdotes. Her clients include Athletes Unlimited, NBA All-Star and Fortune 500 organizations.  

“I tell people to look inside themselves and say, ‘What am I good at? What do I like to do? What am I incredibly proficient at?’ And then take that thing and say, ‘How can I use this to serve others? How can I use this to make people smile? How can I use this to solve problems?’ That right there is where you’ll find your thing,” West says. 

Her optimism for her future is bright and infectious. She desires to expand her client portfolio and speak across borders, continents and demographics for various sports, cultural and historic events.   

At the heart of it, West wants to bring people together. 

“My desire is to continue to build something, to continue to motivate, inspire and leave people with hope,” she says.