From Dreams to Reality: Ben Kelly-Blum’s Journey
“I’ve had a year filled with moments that make me question whether it’s all real,” expressed Ben Kelly-Blum, a graduate of Santa Rosa High who is playing a vital role in one of sports’ premier events.
The NCAA college basketball tournament’s “Final Four,” held every April in major American cities, showcases many recognizable features, such as the spotless basketball court decorated with that year’s Final Four logo and a massive arena accommodating the national semifinals and championship game. For three days, players, coaches, fans, and cheerleaders gather, creating an exciting atmosphere. However, much of the meticulous planning that goes into such a large-scale event often goes unnoticed, along with the dedicated individuals behind the scenes.
Ben Kelly-Blum, a Santa Rosa native, finds himself in a unique position this year as he witnesses and contributes to this monumental sporting occasion set to kick off in San Antonio. “Irrespective of socio-economic backgrounds or the elementary schools involved, everyone is excited to have us here,” Kelly-Blum remarked about the community’s enthusiasm for hosting the Final Four. “Being part of the effort to put together a spectacular show for both the national audience and the local community is truly one of the most rewarding experiences.”
In his role as operations manager for the San Antonio Local Organizing Committee, which he assumed a year ago, Kelly-Blum is tasked with ensuring the smooth execution of the event. The committee operates under the local sports commission, coordinating efforts for various significant events in the San Antonio area. For the upcoming Final Four, they serve as “boots on the ground” for the city and the NCAA.
Kelly-Blum’s journey to this pivotal role began in Santa Rosa. He attended the now-closed Santa Rosa Charter School and graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 2016. He then moved to Washington to pursue a sports management degree at Washington State University. During the pandemic, he relocated to Texas to take on a graduate assistant position in the athletics department at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) in San Antonio. Despite the title “assistant,” the position involved extensive responsibilities, leading Kelly-Blum to work long hours alongside full-time staff.
After earning his master’s degree in 2022, Kelly-Blum transitioned to the University of Texas-San Antonio as the director of event and facility operations, focusing on athletics. There, he managed the development of new sports venues as part of over $65 million in real estate investments. A year later, he accepted the operations manager position with the Local Organizing Committee, embarking on a grassroots marketing campaign by transporting a foldable basketball court from Phoenix and setting up promotional events along the way.
As the Final Four approached, he took charge of creating an off-site parking lot for event employees, a project a year in the making. Kelly-Blum is also overseeing a festival in downtown San Antonio that expects over 3,000 children to participate, including a parade featuring kids dribbling basketballs. He anticipates that all the hard work will culminate when Auburn and Florida compete in the tournament’s first semifinal at the Alamodome, followed by Duke and Houston in the later matchup.
Reflecting on the journey, Kelly-Blum stated, “The event itself may be when it all truly sinks in for us. Once the day arrives, you have to accept and adapt to whatever happens.” As his contract concludes following the tournament, he hopes to secure a full-time role in San Antonio, leveraging the connections he has built over the past year. Yet, he plans to return to Santa Rosa this summer for a much-deserved break.
