Larry Bird announces his decision to step down as Pacers President
Larry Bird officially stepped down on Monday as the Pacers\u2019 President of Basketball Operations, a title he has held since 2003.\n\u201cI felt it was time to step away in a full-time capacity,\u201d Bird said. \u201cThis has nothing to do with my health or our team. I\u2019m 60 years old and I want to do other things away from basketball. I will do some scouting for the Pacers, NBA, college, international, do some appearances and stay in a capacity to advise senior basketball management. I love the Pacers, I grew up with the Pacers and admired them from a very young age. I want to thank the fans for their support throughout my career. I also want to thank (owner) Herb Simon for the many years of loyalty and for allowing me to stay with the team in a different role.\u201d\nAdded\xa0team owner Herb Simon:\xa0\u201cThis is not a shock to me as Larry has always been up front about someday stepping down. I thank him for all that he has done and am very pleased he is remaining with the Pacers in a different capacity.\u201d\nKevin Pritchard,\xa0who Bird hired into the front office in 2011, takes over as president. Click here to get to know Pritchard, who was born in Bloomington.\nListen to Bird\u2019s\xa013-minute press conference, held Monday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, below: