A Life Transformed by Rocky Top
Once upon a time in 1977, a young student stepped onto the University of Tennessee campus to study Animal Science, completely unaware of the adventure ahead. Joining the Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) fraternity made the giant university feel like home, bringing together a brotherhood of Ag students with a very special honor: taking care of Smokey, the beloved Bluetick Coonhound mascot. Alongside Smokey’s Trainer, (JK Graves), stepping onto the field unlocked a whole new world—turning a former sports bystander into a lifelong fan captivated by game day strategy and stadium energy. That passion never faded, leading to a long tradition of attending nearly every home game at Neyland Stadium for four and a half decades following graduation in 1982.
The story took its best turn in 1998 with the arrival of Drew, sparking an immediate and everlasting bond during the Vols’ undefeated National Championship run. A celebratory trip to the Fiesta Bowl introduced them to Kokopelli—the iconic symbol of joy that instantly became a trusted lucky charm and the spark for a grand new tradition: the annual KokOasis Challenge. Today, the KokOasis Challenge brings the magic of community and college sports together under one banner. Built to bring family, old friends, and new faces together, it’s a living tale of camaraderie where there is always room in the stands for one more. — Kev
How the KokOasis Challenge Works . . .
- Lock In: Register for each challenge every year.
- Make Your Picks: Submit your pick sheet online before every round.
- Earn Points: Correct predictions are rewarded with points.
- Accuracy: Spot-on score predictions trigger bonus points.
- Leaderboard: Watch point totals shift and live standings update in real time.
- Finish on Top: Top Challengers receive rewards!
- Official Football Rules.
- Official Basketball Rules.
- Participation is Loads of fun!