HOO BOY Sports Fans! At long last we’ve reached the end of the 13th Annual SBBPA and this new format did not disappoint. When we created this new format, we hoped for a bit more unpredictability over the course of the challenge and, well, it paid off. We could not have predicted that this year would be an All in the Family event!
But before we crown the 2024 winner, let’s start with some well-deserved kudos to several players who, at one time or another, set the pace with some impressive prognosticating. Marc S., one of the OG prognosticators with a knack for ripping of impressive streaks during the challenge, owned an early lead and stayed competitive throughout! The crew from Rocket Partners made an impressive showing with Adnan A., Ben G., Kieran W., Tommy F., and Schafer, setting the pace at various points. Miles W., Robert (Gator) I., Alex T., and Daisy T., all honorary MJM keepers of the flame, demonstrated intense patience and good cheer throughout! Sonia A, a previous champion challenged briefly seeking that ever elusive repeat. After an extended absence from the challenge, Chad H. rejoined this year and was in the mix nearly the entire time and owned the outright lead towards the end. And previous champion Pete T., THE OOG of this entire challenge, surged to the lead at the very end and was poised to win it all, and a coveted repeat victory, with a Notre Dame victory.
EXCEPT…Notre Dame laid the proverbial egg against Ohio State, a situation that recalls something once said by that great orator, Archie Bunker: We better not, ya know, kill our chickens before they cross the road.
Only ONE PROGNOSTICATOR picked mighty Ohio State to win it all. Heading into the National Championship, this prognosticator was firmly in the middle of the pack, but his gutsy picks in the semifinal and final netted him 12 points to close the gap and best Pete T. by one…measly…point.
ADEN SIMMONDS is the 2024 SBBPA Prognostication champion!!!
Congratulations and well done, Aden!
Aden’s victory is doubly sweet as he joins his mom and last year’s winner, Kerren Berz, as prognostication champion. We’re sure that his MJM memorial trophy will be proudly displayed next to Kerren’s 2023 trophy in a prominent and highly visible location!
Aden’s custom fabricated MJM Memorial Trophy for Prognostication Excellence is in the SBBPA fabrication shop and will be shipped soon.
And so, this closes out the 13th Season of the SBBPA. Thank you all for playing this year. Every year we look forward to hosting this challenge. Many of you have been with us since the beginning and we’re excited to see all the new players. We hope to see you all next year. Until then, we’ll be reminiscing…
…those were the days.
Congrats, Aden! I am, of course, bitterly disappointed, and resentful. I will get over it. Dadgummit, wait till next year!!!
Aden, your name will go on the commemorative plaque for this year.
That was fun you guys…thanks as always!