Volunteering at NCAA Women’s Basketball March Madness: My Behind-the-Scenes Experience

This year, I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer for the first and second rounds of NCAA Women’s Basketball March Madness in Austin, TX. Supporting the event logistics and assisting with the press conferences, I got a firsthand look at what it takes to run a large-scale event like this, and it was an experience I’ll never forget.

Behind the scenes in the press conference room for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament in Austin, TX.

My role was focused on helping ensure that athletes, coaches, and Sports Information Directors (SIDs) arrived on time and that communication flowed smoothly throughout the event. I was also responsible for running stats to the media on the sidelines during multiple games—an exciting challenge that kept me on my toes as I worked to ensure reporters had the information they needed in real-time.

Volunteering at March Madness gave me a behind-the-scenes look at the intricate planning and coordination that goes into making such a massive event run seamlessly. I quickly learned how important precise timing, coordination, and effective communication are in ensuring everything happens according to plan. Every detail, from transportation logistics to media relations, needs to be meticulously coordinated to keep things running smoothly—and that was a big takeaway from this experience.

Beyond the logistical skills, this opportunity also helped me refine my communication skills, particularly in high-pressure, fast-paced environments. Being able to adapt and respond to the needs of others quickly was critical, and I’m excited to apply these lessons to future projects and roles in sports communication.

I’m incredibly grateful to Jeremy Rosenthal and the entire Texas Athletics team for giving me the chance to be part of this exciting journey. Contributing to such a prestigious event and gaining insight into the inner workings of March Madness has been both educational and inspiring. I look forward to applying everything I’ve learned as I continue to grow in the field of sports event management and communication.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/brinleybruner_i-had-the-incredible-opportunity-to-volunteer-activity-7311070932511469569-ZM8k?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAE3MTEUBxCXP_3qwtGhkOzR624ksFfvJuP0