West Virginia State University’s (WVSU) academic quiz bowl team will be one of 48 teams representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities competing in the 25th annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) National Championship Tournament April 12-16 in Torrance, Calif.
Last year, the WVSU squad finished in the final four of the national tournament, falling in the semifinal round to eventual champion Morgan State University. WVSU won the inaugural national championship in 1990 and has competed in the event every year since its inception.
“The team has tremendous spirit and determination and I have a lot of confidence that they will do well at the competition,” said Belinda Fuller, WVSU director of alumni relations, who serves as the team’s coach. “We made it to the semifinals last year, and with all players returning this season, expectations are high for our chance at winning the national championship trophy.”
Members of the WVSU academic quiz bowl team are:
· Scotty White, a senior Communications major from Bay Minette, Ala.;
· Eric Jett, a senior Psychology major from Charleston, W.Va.;
· Raynalle Rouse, a junior Theatre Arts major from Washington, D.C.; and
· Ashton Gauff, a senior Mathematics and International Studies major from Zachary, La.
“We are so proud of these young men and women and wish them great success as they prepare to compete in the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge,” said President Brian O. Hemphill. “They represented West Virginia State University so well last year in finishing in the final four, and we know that they will make all Yellow Jackets proud again this year.”
The 48 teams competing in the event will be split into eight divisions and will compete in a modified round-robin format. The top two teams from each division will advance to the “Sweet 16” and will compete in a single elimination playoff. The final two teams that emerge from the playoffs will compete for the title of National Champions and a grand prize of $50,000.
For finishing in the final four last year, the WVSU quiz bowl team earned $15,000 in institutional grants from Honda. Throughout its history in the competition, WVSU has earned $173,000 in institutional grants.
For more information on the 2014 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, visit www.hcasc.com, or follow the competition via social media on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HCASC or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/HCASC.
The finals of the 2014 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge will be Live Streamed on Monday, April 14, starting at noon Eastern Time on HCASC.com and other outlets.
