Note: This story is a joke created by Owl writers to celebrate April Fools’ Day. All individuals mentioned in the story have given their consent to appear.
March Madness has captivated viewers all across the nation, even President Roger Hughes is in all the excitement. But whispers around campus aren’t about the game – it’s about President Hughes’ bracket getting reportedly leaked.
After an email quickly surfaced, word began to spread in regards to President Hughes’ bracket elections, causing students and faculty alike to now analyze his strategy and debate whether his championship choice will hold up.
“I never expected to see the President’s bracket making the rounds,” one student said. “It’s cool to see that he’s just as into this competition as the rest of us are.”
But others are taking this more seriously. Some students started their own bracket pools specifically to challenge President Hughes’ predictions, looking to see if they could outperform Hughes’ winners.
Joining in on the discussions, some faculty members are praising Hughes’ strategic choices while others question whether he’s taking too many risks with weaker teams.
The excitement doesn’t stop there, Doane has also introduced a spoof bracket featuring none other than Thomas the Tiger.
The “Sweet 16” competition, entertainingly called “Survive a Day in 2025 in Higher Education Without Coffee,” puts administrators against one another in a series of quirky but competitive challenges. Some examples include: the Chief Administrative Officer vs. Chief Financial Officer in “Most Likely to Survive on a Deserted Campus with Only Coffee, or President Hughes vs. Thomas the Tiger in “Best Pep Talk”, etc.
As March Madness continues, for some all eyes will be on not just the tournament, but President Hughes’ picks as well. Whether he walks out as a bracket mastermind or a fallen victim, one thing is for sure. This year, the competition isn’t just on the court, it’s on campus as well.
