Kevin Pritchard was officially promoted to President of Basketball Operations of the Indiana Pacers Monday. The move was made after Larry Bird decided to slide into a part-time advisory role.

“I want to thank Herb, Larry and Donnie (Walsh) for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Pritchard, who had been the team’s general manager since 2012. “As someone who grew up in Indiana, I’ve always felt the Pacers’ pride. The goal is always going to be the same as it has been through Donnie and Larry: to make this a world-class organization.”

[Get to know Pacers executive Kevin Pritchard]

“I’m very happy Kevin is stepping in and glad another Hoosier is in line to take over this job,” Bird said. “He has a lot of experience from the past five years as a GM and he’s ready to step into a leading role. With us, he has had his own ideas on the draft, players, and now he gets an opportunity to push his basketball abilities to the forefront. His role will be no different than mine was. He will make all final decisions on all basketball-related matters. There can only be one voice and it will be his.”

Added team owner Herb Simon: “I have the utmost faith in Kevin taking over. He has learned from a couple of great ones, Donnie and Larry, while with the Pacers. We all feel he will do a tremendous job.”

Listen to Pritchard’s press conference from Monday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, plus a breakout session he held with local writers, below: