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 Avondale Meadows YMCA in Indianapolis and the Legacy Foundation Chris-Town YMCA in Phoenix 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.