INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — A new fan cutout program will let college basketball fans be represented during the Men’s Final Four in Indianapolis while also supporting two important causes. While each participant won't actually be there, their cardboard likeness will.
What You Need To Know
- College basketball fans can be represented during the Men's Final Four with the NCAA's new fan cutout program
- For $100, fans can order a cutout of themselves that will be placed in the stands of Lucas Oil Stadium during the semifinal games and national championship game.
- Proceeds from the initiative will benefit local and national community organizations
- Sales have begun and cutouts can be ordered through Tuesday, March 16
Proceeds from the program will benefit both the United Way’s Central Indiana COVID-19 Recovery and Rebound effort and Hilinski’s Hope, the latter of which is a national nonprofit promoting awareness of student-athlete mental health.
The cutouts at the Final Four will be interspersed with limited fan seating available for the games, the NCAA announced in a press release Thursday. Last month, the NCAA announced that Lucas Oil Stadium and other March Madness venues could host up to 25% fan capacity with physical distancing.
“As we seek to continue to engage fans during the Men’s Final Four, we want to make an impact beyond improving the atmosphere in the venue,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said. “Each purchase supports an important cause, whether locally with COVID-19 relief in Central Indiana or nationally by supporting mental health initiatives for student-athletes across the country. It’s another opportunity for us to think creatively and provide a meaningful experience during this historic event.”
Cardboard fans will be featured inside Lucas Oil Stadium for the Men's Final Four semifinal games and the national championship game. Sales begin Thursday and conclude Tuesday, March 16. Cutouts cost $100 and can be purchased here.
Fans can also pay an additional fee to ship the cutouts home afterward. The NCAA said any cutouts that are not purchased will be recycled after the event.
“We are honored to be selected for the Final Four fan cutout program,” said Ann D. Murtlow, president and CEO of United Way of Central Indiana. “From the outset of the pandemic in Indiana, we convened our trusted partners to establish the first significant COVID-19 relief fund in the country to help meet the urgent needs of children, families and individuals who were so deeply affected. Today, as we slowly emerge from crisis, we are grateful to the NCAA and its fans for playing a significant role in the continued recovery and rebound of Central Indiana.”
“Hilinski’s Hope is incredibly humbled to be involved with March Madness,” said Mark Hilinski, co-founder of Hilinski’s Hope. “Every day we fight to save lives and eliminate stigma by providing resources and mental wellness programs for student-athletes around the country. Any way that we can make an impact and change lives, we will."
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