sessions, and a music festival headlined by Post Malone. Posting daily during the event, the group centered their messaging on the biggest selling point to college students: the events were free. You didn’t need a ticket to be a part of the experience. “We tried to communicate less about the games and frame it more like a block party, something everyone has access to,” said Doll. In addition to social media efforts, Doll and his classmates manned tables on campus, handed out merchandise and created a bracket challenge. Not every idea worked. Plans for watch parties fell through, but they had the freedom to experiment. “There was no real safety net, but also no real consequence of failing,” Doll added. They later presented their work to the NCAA, highlighting what they tried and what they learned. “Sometimes you’re going to run into roadblocks and you just have to find a way to maneuver around,” he said. The NCAA also asked Doll to be a temporary member of their corporate relations team. The role brought him inside the stadium to see the business side of the Final Four. He interacted with representatives from companies like Coca-Cola while exploring the venue, giving him a firsthand look at the career path he hopes to pursue. The finishing touch? As Michigan outlasted UConn in the championship, Doll placed giant goggles in every locker, ensuring each player was ready for the celebratory splash. Ironically, the same locker room that Pettigrew had so carefully organized was about to be turned upside down with soaked floors and scattered towels. As blue and maize confetti rained down on the court, Naumovich and his staff moved quickly—setting up ladders, passing out championship gear as well as scissors to cut down the nets. The meaningful details contributed to a culminating moment that “gave him chills,” but also a sense of relief that his job was done. Just a few years ago, Naumovich was washing towels in a quiet back room. Now, he’s helped run one of the biggest events in sports. The stage may be brighter, but the lesson hasn’t changed. Every championship moment is built on work no one ever sees.
Brayden Doll ’27 (MS in Sport Management)
39
MAGAZINE // SUMMER 2026
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker