A Historic Partnership: Bennett Awards' Role in the First College Basketball Crown
2025 College Basketball Crown Award, a gold plated crown with a walnut base, by Bennett Awards
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The 2025 College Basketball Crown (CBC) was not only a groundbreaking moment for college basketball but also a milestone in the world of sports awards. Hosted in Las Vegas from March 31 to April 6, the CBC’s inaugural tournament brought together 16 elite teams in a thrilling, high-stakes competition. As exciting as the action on the court was, the trophy that crowned the champions became an equally iconic symbol of the event. This year, Bennett Awards had the privilege of designing and creating the first-ever "wearable award" in college basketball history – the College Basketball Crown.
An Award Unlike Any Other
What made this award so extraordinary wasn’t just its design; it was the innovation behind it. As the first sports trophy designed to be worn by its recipient, the College Basketball Crown award is novel but also adds an engaging, dynamic element to the awards ceremony, allowing the champions to physically wear their victory as part of the post-game celebrations.
Designed to reflect the CBC’s identity, the award draws direct inspiration from both the tournament's logo and the iconic grooves of a basketball. The final product is a stunning combination of high-polished gold-plated aluminum, meticulously crafted to mirror the unmistakable seams of a basketball, with a custom black walnut base that adds a touch of timeless sophistication.
Kara Korber, Senior Director of Business Development at AEG, spoke about the significance of the trophy to Business Wire in March, stating, “With its one-of-a-kind design, the Crown Trophy, which will be worn proudly by the first-ever champions on April 6 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, will be just as innovative and unique as the tournament itself."
Collaboration with rEvolution
When award-winning marketing and media agency rEvolution approached Bennett Awards on behalf of the College Basketball Crown’s team, they already had a strong design concept in mind. However, due to a tight timeline, the design required some refinement. Bennett’s team worked closely with rEvolution to ensure that the most impactful and significant details of the award would be executed skillfully under the time constraints. The result was a minimalist yet powerful design that captured the essence of both the game and the honor bestowed upon the champions.
When speaking with Business Wire, Kevin McGraw, Senior Creative Director for rEvolution explained, "the opportunity to align the elements of the tournament’s name and identity with an innovative concept for the trophy was too exciting to pass up. We think that excitement will be felt in the moment of presentation when the players can finally lift it – and wear it."
Craftsmanship and Materials
One of the most notable features of the award is its use of high-polished gold-plated aluminum, a material that exudes both modern luxury and timeless appeal. This sleek, polished finish was expertly executed by local vendors near Bennett Awards' design studio, ensuring precision and attention to detail in every step of the process by our community of trusted craftspeople.
The custom base, crafted by local woodworker Mac Rice, plays an essential role in the award’s unique design. Made from black walnut, the base features a routed channel that allows the crown to be securely placed while also being easily removed for the players to wear. The laser-engraved details on the base complement the sleek, metallic finish of the crown, creating a perfect balance between tradition and innovation.
A Wearable Symbol of Victory
When the crown is placed atop the head of the winning team’s champion, it adds a memorable element to the victory ceremony. However the round shape of the crown, which was key for the aesthetics of the design, does not in fact fit snugly on the unsymmetrical human head! To solve this challenge, the tournament organizers devised a clever solution: before donning the crown, the champion players wore a baseball hat, which ensured a perfect fit while allowing the crown to be easily worn and displayed during celebrations and media appearances.
The CBC crown trophy was first revealed on FOX Sports’ “Breakfast Ball” in the week before the tournament began. Perry Tow, the project manager at Bennett Awards, said, “It’s unique having something people can wear. It adds to the excitement! FOX Sports was excited, our customers were thrilled, and it was just satisfying to be able to bring such a neat idea to life.”
A Moment to Remember
The final game of the inaugural CBC tournament, held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, saw the University of Nebraska emerge victorious over the University of Central Florida, 77-66. The championship game was an exciting spectacle, drawing an impressive 822,000 viewers, making it the most-watched non-NCAA Tournament college basketball final of the year. The moment the winning players donned the Crown was as dramatic and celebratory as everyone had hoped for.
As Kara Korber noted to Business Wire, “When AEG and FOX Sports came together to create the College Basketball Crown, the business of creating a proper and impressive trophy for the ultimate champions was a key priority.” Bennett Awards was proud to make this paramount goal a reality.
A Lasting Impact on College Basketball
The creation of the College Basketball Crown tournament was intended to elevate the college basketball postseason and celebrate these student athletes in a new, exciting way. Beyond the physical trophy, the CBC introduced a historic Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) initiative, awarding $500,000 in NIL compensation to the top four finishing teams. This innovative approach helped make the CBC an exciting new chapter in college basketball history, both on and off the court.
Bennett Awards was honored to contribute to this historic event and to bring the vision of rEvolution, AEG, and FOX Sports to life. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation, creativity, and craftsmanship—values that Bennett Awards upholds with every project they undertake. The College Basketball Crown trophy will undoubtedly stand as a timeless symbol of the 2025 CBC tournament and the achievements of our nation’s accomplished college basketball players.
