Amid a college basketball season featuring a long list of COVID-19 caused postponements. Two challenges could make the already bumpy journey towards March Madness even more bumpy.

One is the hefty task of holding March Madness primarily in the Indianapolis area. That challenge intersects with another challenge facing America and the world. Vaccinating enough people against COVID-19 to develop herd immunity. Distributing the vaccines are a challenge for a few reasons. The immediate supply is not able to keep up with the high demand. States are taking different approaches to distributing vaccines. While distributing those vaccines at faster or slower rates than others.

Nature isn’t helping us out in America’s vaccination efforts either. As winter storms throw a metaphorical wrench into transportation and inoculation plans. Then there’s the question about where one is in the vaccine line. The answer largely depends on someone’s age and profession at this point. Student-athletes and many other young people are effectively near the back of the line. This is completely reasonable because the goal is generally to vaccinate the most vulnerable first. Such as senior citizens, health care workers among others.

This presents risks for the NCAA in their hopes of having March Madness go smoothly. With 68 teams weeks away from converging on the greater Indianapolis area. Featuring un-vaccinated players and an unknown number of un-vaccinated team personnel. The NCAA is about to take on the biggest challenge any American sports organization has taken on since the pandemic began. Staging one of this nation’s largest annual sporting events. Without it turning into a public health catastrophe.

This makes it vital for eligible college basketball personnel to get vaccinated as soon as possible. In an effort to take as many safety precautions as possible. Now there is an emphasis on the word eligible. This is not an argument in favor of having college basketball personnel cut in line. The public appetite for the NCAA abruptly cutting in line isn’t there. With student-athletes being a possible exception in the public’s eye. Since they’re helping their schools make millions without getting paid a penny.

Beyond athletes, such a move would warrant major public criticism. Presenting the NCAA with a public relations nightmare when it can least afford it. Beyond March Madness, College Basketball programs have an opportunity to also step up for the nation. Through helping schools mount more rigorous vaccination campaigns. Through opening up their arenas to vaccinate school personnel and members of the community.

By taking on this task, colleges can help their communities deal with two significant concerns. First, through helping to vaccinate as many educators as they can. Which will be an important step amid arguments over safely re-opening schools. Second, this will widen the number of places people can go to get vaccinated. A crucial step in a quest to build herd immunity against the virus.

Every sector can utilize their own resources in this quest. Such an effort would be particularly important for schools in Indiana to try out. As a way to help March Madness run smoothly. Plus, have this event contribute to the public good. Beyond providing entertainment for sports fans and generating revenue for the NCAA, broadcasters and schools.