Projects Continue the Tradition of Giving Back to Final Four Host Communities
Atlanta (March 12, 2026) – The Atlanta Tipoff Club (ATOC) announced today that it is expanding its community engagement efforts by completing two gymnasium makeovers at YMCAs in the upcoming Final Four host communities.
The Legacy Foundation Chris-Town YMCA in Phoenix and the Avondale Meadows YMCA in Indianapolis are the 2026 beneficiaries of a gymnasium renovation as part of the Naismith Award Final Four Legacy Project, which was created to give back to underserved communities. The dedication and celebration events will occur during Naismith Awards Week at the 2026 Women’s Final Four on April 1 in Phoenix and the Naismith Awards Weekend at the 2026 Men’s Final Four on April 4 in Indianapolis.
The Naismith Awards continues to deepen its influence in Final Four host cities by partnering with the organization where basketball originated – the YMCA – and helping strengthen community spaces where young people learn the game, build confidence, and develop lifelong healthy habits.
Basketball was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith at a YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts. Since then, the sport has grown into a game played worldwide, while still thriving in YMCA gyms nationwide. These spaces encourage physical activity, teamwork, and sportsmanship for youth and families. The Naismith Awards were created in 1969 and named for the game’s inventor.
MOLECULE, the creator of cutting-edge sleep solutions trusted by elite athletes, is the Official Mattress Partner of the Naismith Awards and presenting sponsor of the Men’s and Women’s Defensive Player of the Year Awards and has pledged financial support for facility renovations. Other Naismith Trophy partners Jersey Mike’s and Werner Ladder also contributed to both dedication events. NCAA Corporate Partner The Home Depot has recently signed to support the program as well.
“Final Four week is about celebrating excellence on the court—and it’s also a chance to invest in the communities that host college basketball’s biggest stages,” said Eric Oberman, president of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “YMCA gyms are where so many young people first fall in love with basketball. By upgrading these facilities in Phoenix and Indianapolis, we’re helping create safer, more inspiring spaces that will serve families long after the final buzzer.”
This is the second year the ATOC, administrators of the prestigious Naismith Awards for high school and college basketball, have renovated gymnasiums in both Final Four host cities in the same week. This year’s renovations bring the total to nine renovations in the program, which was started in 2020.
The modernization of the gymnasium at the Legacy Foundation Chris-Town YMCA includes improvements designed to enhance both play and the overall member experience. The proposed scope of work consists of a divider curtain, scoreboards, painting, LED lighting, wall mats, and resurfacing the gym floor.
The project is intended to support a community where 21% of households are below the poverty line, and 18% of residents lack a high school diploma.
“The Valley of the Sun YMCA is incredibly grateful to partner with the Atlanta Tipoff Club for this legacy project. The game of basketball has been a throughline in how we impact young people since the game was created by Dr. Naismith at the YMCA,” said Garrett Brolsma, Chief Operating Officer, Valley of the Sun YMCA. “We are proud of the improvements being made to the gymnasium, as it will allow us to elevate our service and impact on youth and families for years to come. Thank you to the ATOC Leadership and Board for initiating and supporting these critical projects.”
The Avondale Meadows YMCA program will focus on equipment upgrades and facility improvements that elevate the day-to-day experience for youth programs and community use. New rims and nets, painting of gym walls, floor screening, recoating, and restriping, plus the installation of wall graphics and a hydration station, are all part of the renovations.
The project aims to positively impact an Indianapolis community where median household income ranges from $19,000–$31,785 (approximately $20,000 lower than the rest of Marion County), 48% of residents have less than a high school diploma or only a high school diploma as their highest educational attainment, 60% of households include someone age 65 or older, and the unemployment rate is 20%.
Work on both makeovers has already begun and will culminate with community dedication and celebration events tied to the Naismith Awards and Final Four activities.
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Media Contact:
Jordan De La Cruz
Atlanta Tipoff Club
jordan.delacruz@naismithtrophy.com
(770) 617-2222
ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB
Founded during the 1956-57 season, the Atlanta Tipoff Club is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club administers the Naismith Awards, the most prestigious national honors in all of college and high school basketball. Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, the Naismith Awards family annually recognizes the most outstanding men’s and women’s college and high school basketball players and coaches. Other Naismith Awards are presented to the men’s and women’s college basketball defensive players of the year, as well as lifetime achievement awards to basketball officials and outstanding contributors to the game. UC A’s Lew Alcindor received the first Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy in 1969, while the late Anne Donovan (Old Dominion) was the inaugural women’s recipient in 1983. Corporate partners of the Naismith Awards include AXIA Time, Jersey Mike’s, MOLECULE and Werner Ladder. For more information, visit www.naismithtrophy.com.
ABOUT LEGACY FOUNDATION CHRIS-TOWN YMCA
The Legacy Foundation Chris-Town YMCA is a branch of the Valley of the Sun YMCA, serving individuals and families in Phoenix. The YMCA provides programs and services rooted in the Y’s core values and focused on strengthening community through offerings that include childcare, youth sports, health and fitness, and family programming. As a community-based nonprofit, the Valley of the Sun YMCA is committed to the YMCA mission of putting Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. For more information, visit valleyymca.org/chris-town.
ABOUT AVONDALE MEADOWS YMCA
The facility is a community hub on the Upper East Side of the city and a branch of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. The center features a wellness facility and community spaces that support healthy living, including strength and cardio equipment, indoor basketball courts, and a Play & Learn childcare center, as well as programs and activities for people of all ages and activity levels. The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit guided by the YMCA mission of putting Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all, and works to create a more connected community where everyone can belong and thrive. For more information, visit indymca.org/avondale-meadows.