Congratulations to In Hube We Trust from Mark Iantosca, this year's Hopski International March Madness Pool Champion!!! In Hube We Trust was one of a near record 47 entries (at 33%, 4th highest rate in 25 years) picking the champion correctly and earning 30 points from the Championship Game. In Hube We Trust had a great first round this year, picking 25 of 32 games (yes - accuracy STILL has its rewards in the Hopski!)
When reached at his Connecticut castle, the Dark Lord had this to say regarding his championship (not fact checked btw):
The Hopski is the leading and one truly global NCAA March Madness pool - filled with an eclectic group of successful business leaders, entrepreneurs, politicians and bitter University of Indiana alumni. The Hopski is also great fun and really well organized in terms of updates and money collection. A shout out to the Commissioner for the professionalism/time commitment and the at times entertaining commentary.
To win the Hopski and to win it convincingly has been a goal ever since I first crossed paths with the Commissioner on the black top in Warsaw, Poland in 2000. Yes, I did find the unprecedented & controversial attempt to remove my entry two days before the Final Four disappointing, but in the end it only served to galvanize my UConn brethren, leading my entry to victory!
It became personal with me!
(Commish insert: I find it ironic that someone who is a ridiculously massive Lebron lover as the GOAT would request an MJ meme inserted here!)
Beating, or in this case, ‘ass whipping,’ the Commissioner and my little brothers in anything is always a tremendous pleasure - much like this Vince Carter dunk!
The Iantosca Family will be going to Disneyland next week to celebrate the Hopski Championship! In Summary - and to surmise from UConn Coach Dan Hurley post-Championship game: “Now you’re thinking in your brain, as I’m looking at the locker room (my wife and daughter), about the chance to do it two times, like a dynasty in modern times. Can I replicate Hopski legend State Senator Ryan Fazio’s achievement in ‘21-22. I mean, that’s what I’m thinking about.”
Thank you Mark Iantosca for leading a great pool this year!!! What can I say aside from no doubt I should have suspended the guy and ensure a lesson learned!!
Speaking of GOATS - we note really had a Hopski discussion about this, but certainly this year's 2nd Place winner, Noferi's Irresistible from Mark Noferi can make a case. The Marvelous Mr. Nofe took 2nd in both the Main Pool and the 2nd Chance Dance this year (losing on a tiebreaker) to go along with Hopski Main Pool championships in 2008 and 2018! Aside from the ridiculous back to back Championships of Ryan Fazio (I'm Gonna Hurley), dare I say there may not be many arguments to the contrary provided Iantosca is not asked for his opinion! The Nofe is fully recovered from a 2018 health scare and here is a Squat Shot of him pulling 300lbs in preparation for this year's Hopski!!
Finally, climbing the Hopski podium for the 1st time is Babylon Chop Shop from Long Islander Tom Wojt! Here's a photo of Tom as joined the Long Island Correctional Facility recently (no - this is actually a professional pick of Tom - but first thing I thought when I saw it was "man - this guy is going to shiv me!") 
(I like this pic of Tom and his family that was nabbed off of Facebook better!)
Congrats as well to the Hopski 2nd Chance Dance Champion this year - Tosca1 #2 from David Iantosca, younger brother of Lord Voldemart!! David finished in a tie for the win with The Nofe - but won the tiebreaker with a 148 total points guess vs Nofe's 152. That random number everyone picks out at the end entering their picks DOES ACTUALLY MATTER!!! Dave was quite happy with the victory, which along with his main pool's 2016 Championship allows him to retain the title of "GOAT of Iantosca's in the Hopski". Dave also highlighted in our post-tournament interview that his is a Richmond spider grad, living in Chicago with his young family and runs sales for an organic dairy company. He also holds the title for most wins of all Iantosca family members in their 2on2 basketball family basketball battles. Here's Dave with his two daughters!!
At the other end of the Hopski spectrum, we have a Toilet Bowl Winner this year......
Niparoo 10 and Amy Kenney of San Francisco took the low score award for 2024 with 46 points. After wrapping up the Toilet Bowl this year during the Elite 8, Amy seemed to enter seclusion as the Commissioner's Office staff could not reach her for comment - thus the below is pulled from LinkedIn. Certainly though Amy shall emerge from seclusion next year as she received FREE ENTRY into the 2025 Hopski (presuming there is one - which is highly likely!).
Show me the money$$$
KUDO'S to the entirety of the Hopski Entrants this year as your participation raised $1,670 USD for the Polish Humanitarian Fund!!
This year's payouts for the Hopski are as follows:
Venmo and Paypal options for all except 1st place - and in respect of that Mr. Iantosca........
THE CHECK IS IN THE MAIL!!!!!
