How to run the NCAA tournament

(Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Running the largest men’s college basketball tournament in the world isn’t a walk in the park.

In a year full of surprise and confusion, the hardest part of the tournament wasn’t just selecting its 68-team field, even though it was one of the front runners.

This year, the tournament is being played all in one place, presenting new challenges for the cities tasked with completing the entire tournament, from the early rounds to the championship game.

That place is central Indiana, and this tournament is being run in part by volunteers.

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. #FinalFour pic.twitter.com/Fgc5qn37W0

— Indiana Sports Corp (@IndSportsCorp) January 4, 2021

Indiana Sports Corporation, a sports organization that assists with March Madness, recruited 5,000 volunteers in 72 hours to assist with tournament tasks.

Rather than their usual tasks of hosting fan events, tailgates, and other social events, their role this year is a bit different.

These tasks include everything from driving buses and cleaning courts to supplying a ukulele to a locker room before games and doing laundry for the young athletes.

The tournament is being played between three different locations: Bloomington, Indianapolis, and West Lafayette. The Final Four will be taking place in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts.

Although their hospitality seems grand, the Hoosier state is struggling within the tournament athletically. All 10 teams from the state are no longer in the tournament, with Purdue losing out in the first round. The tournament will come to an end in Indianapolis on April 5th, relieving Indiana of its duties.