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 26th annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) National Championship Tournament March 21-25 in Torrance, Calif.
WVSU won the inaugural national championship in 1990 and has competed in the event every year since its inception. In 2013, the team reached the final four of the competition.
“We have a proud tradition in competing in this National Championship Tournament and showcasing the knowledge and talents of our students,” said WVSU President Brian O. Hemphill. “We are so proud of these young men and women and we know they will make all Yellow Jackets proud again this year.”
Members of the WVSU academic quiz bowl team competing in this year’s tournament are:
- Scotty White, a senior communications major from Bay Minette, Ala., who is also the team captain;
- Candice Holliday, a senior communications major from Poca, W.Va.;
- Jesus Rivera, a freshman computer science major from Puebla, W.Va.; and
- Raynalle Rouse, a senior theatre arts major from Washington, D.C.
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 Champion.
Each of the participating schools receive grants from Honda. Teams eliminated at the Round Robin stage receive $3,000 in grants, while those advancing receive larger grant awards depending on how far they go in the competition. The team who wins the tournament receives a $50,000 grand prize. Throughout its history in the competition, WVSU has earned $177,000 in institutional grants.
For more information on the 2015 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 2015 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge will be live streamed on Monday, March 23, starting at noon Eastern Time on HCASC.com.
