The NCAA Tournament will use two courts at Lucas Oil Stadium to raise awareness around issues of inclusion and social justice.
According to an announcement, the NCAA dubbed the two courts Unity and Equality. Unity comes from the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Unity Pledge, which was created by the three divisional national SAACs and the Board of Governors Student-Athlete Engagement Committee. The Equality court is so-named to honor the student-athletes that have spoken out in the name of social and racial justice.
“While exploring ways to differentiate between two courts in a single venue, the Men’s Basketball Committee and staff wanted to bring added focus to issues important to the student-athletes, who will be playing their biggest games on courts named in recognition of their beliefs, would be a nice added touch to what will be a unique tournament,” NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt said in a release.
UNITY & EQUALITY@MarchMadness courts at @LucasOilStadium named to recognize the NCAA’s commitment to inclusion and social justice: https://t.co/OycAn0nqck pic.twitter.com/bpiG8rha14
— NCAA (@NCAA) March 5, 2021
The NCAA Tournament be played at six sites throughout central Indiana, including Lucas Oil Stadium, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Mackey Arena in West Lafayette and Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington.
The Elite Eight will be played on the Unity and Equality courts, while the Final Four court will feature branding spotlighting both concepts.
