The Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship and Big 12 Big Q presented by Prairie Fresh® were back in Kansas City after a two-year absence.
There were plenty of pork-loving activities for fans at the Prairie Fresh experience area at the Big Q. The Prairie Fresh® team greeted 
basketball fans with pork tenderloin and bacon samples cooked up by The BBQ League. Fans snapped selfies with the pig to enter I ♥ BBQ Photo Contest. Conference goers also walked away with t-shirts and other giveaways.
Snowy conditions and freezing temperatures didn’t slow down the pitmasters in the competition. Joe Pearce of Slap’s BBQ representing TCU – Texas Christian University won the Big 12 Big Q Grand Championship while Richard Fergola of Fergolicious BBQ representing The University of Kansas took Reserve Grand Championship.
The Big 12 Big Q wrapped up with six brave barbecue fanatics competing for the coveted rib trophy in the Prairie Fresh Pig Out rib-eating contest. Dean Merkel from Gladstone, Mo., fourth from the left, took first place in the competition.
Two I Love BBQ tailgate prize packages were also awarded to fans Blaine from Colorado Springs, Colo., and Julie from Ankeny, Iowa. They each received Prairie Fresh pork seasoned with our Big 12 Big Q pitmasters rubs and sauces, a new Green Mountain Grill TREK Prime WiFi smoker and Prairie Fresh camp chairs.
Finally, a big thanks to all Big 12 Big Q pitmasters who served up delicious pork.
– Joe Pearce — Slap’s BBQ
– Richard Fergola — Fergolicious BBQ
– Tim Scheer — Shake ‘n Bake BBQ
– Greg Hastie — Tebo Creek BBQ
– Donny Teal — Buffalo’s BBQ
– Dan Hathaway — The Kansas City BBQ Store
– Lee Ann Whippen –Wood Chicks BBQ
– Luke Darnell — Old Virginia Smoke
– Moe Cason — Moe Cason BBQ