Paul Bunyan Communications names winners in 10th Pick It March Mania challenge

Paul Bunyan Communications has turned March basketball into a recurring customer touchpoint in northern Minnesota, and this year’s 10th Pick It March Mania Challenge again drew a sizable field. The company said 587 people entered the free online men’s Division I college basketball contest, then named Judy Schill of Cass Lake as the first-place winner, Jerry Struss of Northome as second and Laura Pogreba of Bemidji as third.

The promotion rewarded more than bracket accuracy. Paul Bunyan Communications said the top 10 finishers each received a credit on their account, along with one random draw participant. The company also said first place carried a $500 credit, second place was worth $250 and the random bonus prize was a $100 credit.

This year’s challenge ran on a tight tournament schedule. Participants were told to make their picks after the tournament teams were set on Sunday, March 15, 2026, and before games began on Thursday, March 19. Contestants also had to be 18 or older, making the contest a simple seasonal competition aimed at adult customers and other local players.

The appeal for Paul Bunyan Communications goes beyond the prizes. The company described the contest as a way to interact with others in northern Minnesota and enjoy friendly competition, which fits the broader role of a local broadband provider that wants to stay visible in daily life, not just on monthly bills. In a market where internet service is essential, community contests give a utility-like business another way to stay connected to its customer base.

The 2026 turnout was strong, though it did not top recent highs. Paul Bunyan Communications said its 2024 challenge drew a record 833 participants, while 2023 brought in a record 751. Its fifth annual contest drew 476 participants. The company has also expanded the format beyond the men’s tournament, and its first women’s Pick It March Mania Challenge drew 405 participants.

That history shows why the contest still matters in Bemidji and beyond. With winners from Cass Lake, Northome and Bemidji, the promotion reaches well into Beltrami County and the surrounding region, giving Paul Bunyan Communications a low-cost way to build loyalty, keep its name in circulation and turn a national sports tradition into a local annual event.