The Upstanding Gentleman’s Trophy is something that has existed, privately, since 2004. See, I’ve been hosting these random competitions since I was in high school. We’d just get together at the ranch, play some organized contest, and I’d keep points. At the end of the year, we’d add everything up and award a season champion. I quit hosting these events regularly in 2017 as I shifted my focus from what was essentially an organized social club to the company that is SoBros Network. But, I always knew that one day, I wanted to roll these contests under the SoBros umbrella.
Last year, I wasn’t able to do as much as I wanted to, plain and simple. We had three competitions: Fantasy WrestleMania, Foosball, and Golden Tee. But, out of that, we had three successful champions (Ryan Franson, Ryan Hogan, and Poppa Bear), and we awarded our first ever SoBros Champion (Hogan). In 2018, this competitive division of the SoBros Network brand took a major step forward.
We hosted 12 events/leagues in 2018, and awarded championships in each: Skeeball, Fantasy Football, Bowl Pick ‘Em, Frisbee Golf, The SoBros Comedy Invitational, Fantasy Royal Rumble, March Madness, Foosball, Fantasy WrestleMania, Cornhole, Putt Putt, and of course, the inaugural Past Their Prime Combine.
So, I thought 2018 would be the year to finally merge the two pillars of my life. Yes, this is the very moment my past and my future intersect. I am bringing the Upstanding Gentleman’s Trophy to the SoBros Network. 10 nominees – five SoBros and five SoBros supporters.
“Now, what exactly does that mean, Stoney?”
The criteria for the Upstanding Gentleman’s Trophy is somewhat subjective, I’ll admit. But, it’s fairly straightforward – did you win a championship in 2018? Did you finish well in the standings? Have you stuck around as a supporter of the brand and vision beyond the competition? Are you somebody that exemplifies the core values of our company (GSD, Uplift Others, Create Fearlessly, and Be Humble)? If you check any or all of those boxes, you just might find yourself nominated for this award.
Well, it’s hard to believe, but since Q3 wraps up SoBros Awards season, and since we’ve already held our last competition for Q3, it’s time to wrap up the field. 15 years of history come roaring into the SoBros Network for this prestigious award.
The 2018 SoBros Network Upstanding Gentleman’s Trophy Nominees
Herbie Brooks – Brooks was a participant in six of the 12 SoBros events this year, but his 2018 Cornhole Championship may be his single biggest accomplishment. He finished 5th in total points for the 2018 SoBros Championship.
Jonathan Drake – By winning the inaugural SoBros Putt Putt Open last weekend, Drake not only claimed a championship, but he nearly claimed enough points for ‘Rookie of the Year’ honors. He missed out by four points, but still finished 9th overall on the season and 4th among rookies.
Paul Heggen – Heggen was just the third champion of 2018, winning Bowl Pick ‘Em back in January. The 2017 SoBro of the Year has been a long time supporter of the brand, and we couldn’t ask for a better ambassador.
Stoney Keeley – I did manage to win two championships this year, didn’t I? Though my Foosball Championship is tainted by the absence of Ryan Hogan, I am pretty proud of the contest “Nature Boy” and I had that brought me a Frisbee Golf Championship. I was second only to the 2018 Champion, Poppa Bear, in terms of overall points.
Jack Kopanski – Kopanski has been a noted #OurGuy for a while now. He snuck into the field finishing 13th overall on the season, 5th among rookies, and 6th among supporters in terms of total points on the year. His best finish came in March Madness, when he finished 5th out of 19 people.
Adam Ogilvie – Big year for Ogilvie, as he finished 4th in overall points and claimed the 2018 Cornhole Championship along with Brooks. He was also the runner-up in last weekend’s Putt Putt Open, a performance that had him soaring up the standings. Ogilvie was instrumental in putting that event together to begin with, too.
Poppa Bear – He is your 2018 SoBros Champion, folks – he finished with a field-best 86 points on the season. He was the 2017 SoBros Fantasy Football Champion, and finished 2nd in Bowl Pick ‘Em, Cornhole, and Foosball. All in all, no one had as many top five finishes as Poppa Bear did and he has the points and championship to prove it.
Greg Roberts – A longtime supporter of the brand, Roberts finished 1st among supporters, 2nd among rookies, and 6th overall on the season in total points. His top 10 finish in March Madness laid a foundation that his five hole in ones during the Putt Putt Open built upon.
Ultimate Predator – Our 2nd Fantasy WrestleMania Champion, the 2017 Supporter’s Shield recipient finished 5th among supporters and 11th overall. He had a strong finish in the Fantasy Royal Rumble as well, and has been a long time bearer of the SoBros flag.
“Nature Boy” Brandon Vick – Vick competed in eight events, and though he didn’t win a title, he came pretty damn close twice (runner-up in Fantasy Football and Frisbee Golf). He still finished 3rd overall in total points on the season.
So, who do y’all like best? Keep an ear to the ground for instructions on how to vote later in the year.
The Final Standings for the 2018 SoBros Championship
- Poppa Bear – 86 (season points (across all 12 events))
- “Big Natural” Stoney Keeley – 70
- “Nature Boy” Brandon Vick – 57
- Adam Ogilvie – 45
- Herbie Brooks – 40
- John Mosley – 29 (Rookie of the Year)
- Greg Roberts – 26
- Jonathan Drake – 25
- Greg Sides – 25
- Matt Biddle – 24
- Ultimate Predator – 21
- Smokey – 21
- Jack Kopanski – 20
- Brett Bowen – 19
- Aura, the SoBros First Lady – 19
- James Osborne – 19
- Will Orr, Jr. – 18
- Reno – 17
- Oskar Kane – 16
- David Krepps – 15
- Maddux McDonald – 15
- Paul Heggen – 13
- Bonnaroo Brittany – 13
- Tyler Tidwell – 13
- Carter Chase – 13
You’ll see more news like this trickling out in the coming weeks as the 2018 SoBros Awards season concludes at the end of Q3.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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