--- title: History --- [![mobileLogo](https://www.bracketblessings.com/hubfs/mobileLogo.svg)](https://www.bracketblessings.com/?hsLang=en) - [About](https://www.bracketblessings.com/about-us?hsLang=en) - [About Us](https://www.bracketblessings.com/about-us?hsLang=en) - [Bonus & Scoring](https://www.bracketblessings.com/bonus-prizes-scoring?hsLang=en) - [Rules](https://www.bracketblessings.com/contest-rules?hsLang=en) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.bracketblessings.com/terms-and-conditions?hsLang=en) - [History](https://www.bracketblessings.com/history) - [Leadership](https://www.bracketblessings.com/leadership?hsLang=en) - [Annals](https://www.bracketblessings.com/past-winners?hsLang=en) - [The Cause](https://www.bracketblessings.com/the-cause?hsLang=en) - [Sponsors](https://www.bracketblessings.com/our-sponsors?hsLang=en) - [Past Champions](https://www.bracketblessings.com/past-champions?hsLang=en) - [Leaderboard](https://bracketmadnesspro.com/madness/bracketblessings/leaderboard/99) - [Give](https://www.bracketblessings.com/the-cause?hsLang=en) ![mobileLogo](https://www.bracketblessings.com/hubfs/mobileLogo.svg) - [About](https://www.bracketblessings.com/about-us?hsLang=en) - [About Us](https://www.bracketblessings.com/about-us?hsLang=en) - [Bonus & Scoring](https://www.bracketblessings.com/bonus-prizes-scoring?hsLang=en) - [Rules](https://www.bracketblessings.com/contest-rules?hsLang=en) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.bracketblessings.com/terms-and-conditions?hsLang=en) - [History](https://www.bracketblessings.com/history) - [Leadership](https://www.bracketblessings.com/leadership?hsLang=en) - [Annals](https://www.bracketblessings.com/past-winners?hsLang=en) - [The Cause](https://www.bracketblessings.com/the-cause?hsLang=en) - [Sponsors](https://www.bracketblessings.com/our-sponsors?hsLang=en) - [Past Champions](https://www.bracketblessings.com/past-champions?hsLang=en) - [Leaderboard](https://bracketmadnesspro.com/madness/bracketblessings/leaderboard/99) - [Give](https://www.bracketblessings.com/the-cause?hsLang=en) # ![](https://www.bracketblessings.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Bracket%20Blessings/Images/Backets.svg) Contest Chronicles ## From a Poster-Board in the Hallway Twenty-three years ago in upstate South Carolina, a few friends started a small March Madness bracket contest available for anyone on campus who wanted to join. We only had 41 participants that first year. What started as a scrappy little dorm contest has become something I never could have predicted. In the early years, Dunkin' Donuts was our faithful sponsor — lending just enough credibility to keep things moving forward. By my senior year in 2002, we had 121 contestants, and with the internet opening doors and friends like Lucas Lampman and Matt Taylor helping spread the word from New England, the momentum never really stopped. In 2019, we welcomed sponsors in a more intentional way — not just to grow the numbers, but to reach more people and invite them into something bigger than a bracket. That shift mattered. Somehow, Bracket Blessings has ended up in the same conversation as ESPN, Yahoo, Fox Sports, and USA Today as one of the largest free March Madness contests in the country — something I'm still a little humbled by. This has always been more than a contest. Thank you for being part of it.   ## Some past highlights ![111matt+IMG_3944](https://www.bracketblessings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/111matt+IMG_3944.webp?width=750&height=744&name=111matt+IMG_3944.webp) ## 2000 Matt Taylor wins the NCAA Contest ![Paul+D+2003+20171217_173156](https://www.bracketblessings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Paul+D+2003+20171217_173156.webp?width=1000&height=750&name=Paul+D+2003+20171217_173156.webp) ## 2003 Paul Dickerson won by a jaw-dropping 138 points and still holds the all-time largest margin of victory. ![matt-+2005+2009](https://www.bracketblessings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/matt-+2005+2009.webp?width=1000&height=694&name=matt-+2005+2009.webp) ## 2009 Matt Dodge sets the all-time scoring record with his 2009 contest vicory at 981 points. ![NCAA Contest 2017 logo](https://www.bracketblessings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NCAA%20Contest%202017%20logo.png?width=420&height=326&name=NCAA%20Contest%202017%20logo.png) ## 2004-2017 Dani Trophy contest rebranded as NCAA Contest ![Luke+Bush-+2014+champion+pic](https://www.bracketblessings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Luke+Bush-+2014+champion+pic.webp?width=300&height=400&name=Luke+Bush-+2014+champion+pic.webp) ## 2014 At 6 years old, Luke Bush became the youngest ever champion of the NCAA Contest. ![PYO Logo- 2023](https://www.bracketblessings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PYO%20Logo-%202023.png?width=567&height=530&name=PYO%20Logo-%202023.png) ## 2018-2023 NCAA Contest rebranded as PYO Challenge ![BBLogo](https://www.bracketblessings.com/hubfs/BBLogo.svg) ## 2026 PYO Challenge rebranded as Bracket Blessings ## Collection Of Past Winners Nathan Mizell 2023 champ Andrew Straka 2022 champ Hannah Stanley 2021 champ Kathy Curtis 2019 champ Bryan Torres 2018 champ Jeff Sopcak 2017 champ Shannon Brown 2016 champ Stan McNamara 2015 champ Luke Bush (6 yrs old) | 2014 champ John Pileggi 2013 champ Kirk Amick 2012 champ Bri Anderson 2011 champ Matt Dodge 2005 & 2009 champ Karyn Bush 2007 champ Brett Ingalls 2004 champ Paul Dickerson 2003 champ Priscilla Harris LeGrand 2002 champ Nate Mizell 2001 champ Matt Taylor 2000 champ ## GO BACK IN THE ANNALS [Check Your Previous Results](https://www.bracketblessings.com/past-winners?hsLang=en) ### Pour Yourself Out A community partnering with Kenyans to care for the vulnerable Learn More About 58Ten - [Home](https://www.bracketblessings.com/) - [About](https://www.bracketblessings.com/about-us) - [The Cause](https://www.bracketblessings.com/the-cause) - [Sponsor](https://www.bracketblessings.com/our-sponsors) - [Past Years](https://www.bracketblessings.com/past-winners) - [Leaderboard](https://bracketmadnesspro.com/madness/bracketblessings/leaderboard/99) - [Rules](https://www.bracketblessings.com/contest-rules) Follow Us: [Privacy Policy](https://www.bracketblessings.com/privacy-policy?hsLang=en) ![footerLogo](https://www.bracketblessings.com/hubfs/footerLogo.svg)