The saying goes, “In 49 states, it’s just basketball … but this is Indiana.” From April 3-6, Indianapolis once again stepped into the national spotlight to host the biggest celebration in all of college basketball: the 2026 NCAA Men’s Final Four. Our city welcomed upwards of 70,000 fans for a weekend unlike any other, featuring fan events, tailgates, arts and culture programming, and free concerts on American Legion Mall, all leading to the iconic showdown between college’s best teams at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indy also made history as host to the NCAA DI, DII, DIII and NIT championships all in the same weekend, never before seen in our city.
None of this would have been possible without the dedication of local volunteers and leaders, including Hirons Account Manager, Public Relations Max Wing who proudly served on the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 2026 NCAA Men’s Final Four. Dedicated committee members, guided with leadership and oversight from Indiana Sports Corp, helped bring the college basketball experience to life for residents and visitors while creating a positive impact on the local community. We are proud to shine a spotlight on Max and the role he played in building excitement and anticipation for the event.
His decision to serve on the LOC was a no brainer, being a huge sports fan, proud Hoosier and downtown Indianapolis resident. As a member of the Public Relations and Communications Subcommittee within the LOC, Max crafted compelling narratives to promote the events taking place throughout the city. With his background in media and digital marketing strategies, involvement in the tourism and events space, and experience developing dynamic stories through strategic public relations initiatives for our clients, Max played an invaluable role in the success of the LOC’s various initiatives.
“Having worked closely with Max, I’ve seen firsthand the passion and pride he brings to everything he does—especially when it comes to Indianapolis,” said Ashleigh Newbold, Vice President of Engagement at Indiana Sports Corp. “He brought incredible energy, creativity and strategic thinking to the Local Organizing Committee, helping tell the story of Final Four weekend in a way that truly captured the spirit of our city. I’m so proud of the impact he made and the way he showed up for our community.”
Of note, Max directly supported the SWISH initiative, which highlighted Indy’s beautiful arts and culture scene. Indy Arts Council and Indiana Sports Corp, in partnership with Forty5, GANGGANG, Epicurean Indy and the LOC, provided paid opportunities for more than 100 local artists, performers and chefs and offered a curated experience for Indianapolis residents and visitors to experience arts activities and local talent. Free and family-friendly, the festival included live music and performances, new Sidewalk Galleries murals, an Epicurean Market and food festival, a student poster competition, walk and talk tours, and more. Learn more about SWISH.
Beyond his efforts to promote SWISH 2026, Max was able to give back to the community he calls home through supporting the Men’s Final Four Legacy Project. The Legacy Project is a community impact initiative designed to ensure the excitement of Final Four weekend leaves a lasting, meaningful benefit in the host city that serves residents long after the final buzzer sounds.
This year’s Legacy Project transformed Christian Park Family Center in Indianapolis through a newly refinished basketball court with fresh paint, updated graphics and sport lines. Additional upgrades included new wall and backboard padding, basketball rims, ball racks and basketballs. Beyond the court itself, the facility received a new coat of paint throughout, a refinished floor in the auxiliary meeting room and various other improvements across the center. Ultimately, these updates ensure the institution can continue to bring together friends, families and athletes for exercise, camaraderie and creative expression for years to come. Learn more about the Legacy Project.
At the one-year mark of serving on the committee, it was an extremely proud moment for Max to see all his efforts come to fruition during the championship weekend in Indianapolis.
With nearly 50 years of deep roots in Indiana, Hirons is proud to call Indianapolis home. We appreciate team members like Max who exemplify what it means to give back to and strengthen the communities in which we live and work.
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