Important Dates

Bracket Release: Sunday, March 15

Make sure to sign into CBS March Madness via the link sent to you from Hoosier Wildlife to join our private pool and complete your bracket

Cooper’s Official Picks Revealed: Wednesday, March 18 at 7 PM with video of him choosing!

Submission Deadline: Thursday, March 19 at 11:30 AM (before the first game tips off)

Tournament Runs: March 19 – April 7

Winner Announced: Monday, April 7 after the championship game

How Scoring Works

Standard tournament scoring:

Round 1 — 1 point each
Round 2 — 2 points
Sweet 16 — 4 points
Elite 8 — 8 points
Final Four — 16 points
Championship — 32 points

Yes, you can absolutely lose to an opossum at the last minute!

The Grand Prize

The Ultimate Opossum Experience Package

The winner receives a one-of-a-kind wildlife lover bundle:

Private Wildlife Encounter
• Private guided tour of the rescue
• Meet our education ambassador animals (including Cooper)
• Learn how wildlife rehab actually works behind the scenes

Official Opossum Caretaker Kit
• Cooper themed shirt
• Signed “Certificate of Opossum Excellence”
• Personalized photo of Cooper judging you
• Opossum plush adoption (symbolic) in your name

Night Shift Snack Pack
Because opossums are nocturnal
• Coffee shop gift card
• Late night snack basket
• Your name added to Cooper’s enclosure enrichment board

Estimated value: priceless (but also about $150)

Cooper's March Madness Challenge

By Hoosier Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation

Cooper's March Madness Challenge