History

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

2000

Matt Taylor wins the NCAA Contest

2003

Paul Dickerson won by a jaw-dropping 138 points and still holds the all-time largest margin of victory.

2009

Matt Dodge sets the all-time scoring record with his 2009 contest vicory at 981 points.

2004-2017

Dani Trophy contest rebranded as NCAA Contest

2014

At 6 years old, Luke Bush became the youngest ever champion of the NCAA Contest.

2018-2023

NCAA Contest rebranded as PYO Challenge

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

Contest Chronicles