Frederica Freyberg:
Now from agriculture to the economy with a touch of sports thrown in. We all hear a lot of bad economic news. Well, tonight some good news and a trip to the NCAA tournament. A small company in Milwaukee is taking center stage at the college tournaments. It makes the floors, the hardwood.

Frederica Freyberg:
First round teams took to Milwaukee’s Bradley Center court for practice sessions in the hours before their big games. And while most looking on have their gaze set at about 10 feet up, there's one guy who's focused on the floor.

Man:
It's pretty surreal.

Frederica Freyberg:
Jason Heiman takes particular pride in this Canadian maple, polished and painted cork. He made it.

Jason Heiman:
Just to be a part of it is pretty amazing.

Frederica Freyberg:
His small company, Jason Thomas Flooring, on Milwaukee's south side is making a mark in this high-profile portable floor business.

John Bruckner:
Kind of showcasing not only your own company, but also Milwaukee on a national level.

Frederica Freyberg:
The paint brushes are still wet in the company's warehouse where the courts are assembled. Owner Jason Heiman does the graphic paint work himself, making sure it's precision perfected.  

Jason Heiman:
It's exciting, but also nervous at the same time. You know, until you actually get to see the floor on TV.

Frederica Freyberg:
Jason Thomas Flooring employs just six people full-time. It competes with three other court manufacturers across the country. And in just its second year making the regulation NCAA tournament floors appears to be a bracket buster.

Frederica Freyberg:
Explain to me what that is over there in the corner.

John Bruckner:
Sure. That's the actual game floor for the Final Four, the men's Final Four in Indianapolis. It's just waiting to be shipped. I believe it ships out Monday morning.

Frederica Freyberg:
The Milwaukee manufacturer was selected by the NCAA to make the championship floor that's headed to Indianapolis. It's pretty much a replica of the Final Four practice floor just now being pulled up for shipping. The company made five of the tournament courts, including the one in the Bradley Center, and those in Syracuse and Buffalo. But it's that Final Four floor that really puts this Milwaukee company on the map.  

John Bruckner:
It feels like there's so much pressure. This is probably one of the most televised sporting events, and you're providing really the heart and soul of the game. If there's no floor, there's no game.

Frederica Freyberg:
And so while March Madness unfolds, take a minute to check out the floors. You won't be the only one with your gaze cast downwards. Jason Heiman and crew will be right there with you, making sure the hardwood’s up to snuff, that the flooring reflects the pride of craftsmanship that got the Milwaukee flooring company invited to the big game.

The basketball courts cost about $100,000. We're told it's tradition for the winning team in the NCAA championship to buy the Final Four floor to install at their college.