The NCAA Final Four returns to San Antonio, with 87-year-old volunteer Barb Machado continuing her longtime service.
SAN ANTONIO — The NCAA Final Four has returned to San Antonio, marking the city’s fifth men’s and third women’s championship.
Among the crowd of volunteers is 87-year-old Barb Machado, who has never missed a chance to help out at the iconic event since 1998.
For Machado, volunteering at the Final Four is about much more than basketball. It’s about fostering community, building connections, and creating lasting memories for both locals and visitors.
“I go by Barb,” she said with a laugh. “Only my mother called me Barbara, and that’s when I was in trouble.”
Machado’s volunteer work began through a connection between the San Antonio Hotel and Lodging Association, where she worked, and San Antonio Sports. While she’s had many different roles over the years, from stuffing envelopes to greeting visitors at hotels and convention centers, it’s the people that keep her coming back.
“It’s joy. Everything I do with these people is joy,” Machado said.
Throughout the years, Machado has witnessed everything from thrilling championship games to the challenges brought on by COVID-19 in 2021. Despite restrictions, she played a key role in helping organize the women’s Final Four, making the event happen even amid the pandemic.
“I’m 87 going on 47,” she said with a smile, showing no sign of slowing down. “I think the next one we have is going to be the girls. When they come back this time, I’ll get to meet them!”
During the event, Machado works long hours, often from 7 a.m. until midnight. Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed by fellow volunteers, some of whom say the event wouldn’t be the same without her.
“The beauty, for me, is they love their volunteers,” said Machado regarding event organizers. “It seems like the older you get, the more special you are to them.”
Machado is one of more than 2,500 volunteers supporting the event in San Antonio, and she’s particularly excited for the 2029 women’s Final Four, which will return to the city. As the years go on, her spirit remains as strong as ever, ready to serve and celebrate the community she loves.
Her goal is to outlive her father, who passed away at the age of 101. Machado plans to volunteer as long as she is physically able.
When asked about her basketball skills, Machado says she worked through height challenges by becoming a threat on defense.
“Back when girls basketball had the divided court…I was on the defense. I could muscle and do that.”