Posted on Thursday, May 21, 2026
When the Men’s Basketball Division I Final Four Tournament took place in Indianapolis from April 2–8, six LC Sports Management students were there with a role to play in every moment that mattered, working alongside the Indiana Sports Corporation on operations and fan experience, managing crowds, directing volunteers, and keeping one of the most complex sporting events in the country moving smoothly across multiple venues.
“We saw every aspect of it,” Associate Sports Management Professor Dr. Clay Bolton reflected. “The ins and outs of the NCAA, the corporate sponsors and the semifinal games. I would rate it as one of the best experiences of my career.”
For Brodie Scott ’26, a former LC Men’s Basketball player, working inside Lucas Oil Stadium as part of Coca-Cola’s Green Team during the semifinals was a highlight he won’t soon forget. “It was one of the best experiences of my four years,” he recalled.
Brandon Matson ’26 found his own takeaway from the week, one rooted in the details that keep a large-scale event on track. Serving in a manager role the Indiana Sports Corporation called Point Guard; he made sure volunteers had the equipment they needed and operations ran smoothly from start to finish.
“I learned how to troubleshoot and get ahead of issues before they became problems, so that every fan had a smooth, positive experience,” he noted.
The Final Four was a piece of a larger journey for Scott that had already begun to pay off. He recently accepted a position with the University of Georgia Athletics Department; a career milestone he traces back to the opportunities and mentorship LC has provided throughout his four years.
“I’m extremely grateful to Dr. Bolton and the LC Sports Management Club for opening this door,” he expressed.
LaGrange College has built a track record of placing students inside major sporting events, from the Super Bowl to the SEC Championship. The Final Four is the latest chapter in that story, and for these Panthers, proof that the preparation they receive on the Hill translates directly to the biggest stages in the country.
Category: Academics, Events, Students
Keywords: Athletics, Education
