Clark Atlanta U Wins Honda Campus All-Star Challenge
26 March 2000
Clark Atlanta University Crowned National Academic ChampionORLANDO, Fla. - Three consecutive days of intercollegiate competition, teamwork and brain power culminated today for 320 college students from the nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, Ga.) was crowned national champion this morning at the 2000 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge academic quiz bowl competition, after winning a best two-out-of-three game series against runner-up Southern University -- Baton Rouge, La. Clark Atlanta emerged as the best of 64 teams from HBCUs across the country, to take home an institutional grant of $50,000. Runner-up, Southern University -- Baton Rouge took home $25,000, while each of the remaining 62 teams earned grants ranging from $3,000 to $15,000. The key to the competition is to be the first to quickly and accurately answer 10-point "toss-up" questions and 20-30 point bonus questions on history, science, literature, religion, the arts, the social sciences, popular culture and African-American history and culture. "The best thing we did as a team was set our egos aside and focus on consistency, teamwork and a willingness to fight," said Cory Brown, team captain for the Clark Atlanta team and a political science graduate student at Clark Atlanta. "The sports analogies to this game are strong, but really, this competition taught our team a lot about life -- and about realizing your potential, dealing with adversity and moving ahead to win." The Clark Atlanta team included Cory Brown (Graduate Student -- Political Science); Benjamin Armstrong (Senior -- English); Bomani Jones (Junior -- Economics); George Sands (Freshman -- Mass Communications); alternate Charles Hampton (Freshman -- English); and Coach Gwendolyn Morgan, Professor of English. In addition to showcasing the academic talent at the HBCUs, the Honda Campus All Star Challenge focuses on providing opportunities for student networking, relationship building and teamwork. "Every year the competition gets tougher, and this year's first-time winner Clark Atlanta, demonstrates that hard work pays off," said Eric Conn, assistant vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and founder of the program in 1989. "But, the real focus of the tournament is teamwork and friendships, since students are only competitors for a few moments, but many of the friendships and relationships gained are lifelong." Nearly 100 HBCU Presidents, educators, alumni and community volunteers attended this year's event, themed "Future Power," in support of the 320 participating students. The Honda Campus All-Star Challenge is the only competition of its kind, and was established by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., in 1989. Since the inception of the program, more than 15,000 HBCU students have participated, and Honda has awarded more than $2.5 million in grants to HBCUs for facilities improvements and additional academic resources. 2000 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Results National Champion: Clark Atlanta University -- Atlanta, Ga. Runner-Up: Southern University -- Baton Rouge, La. Final Four: Clark Atlanta University -- Atlanta, Ga. Southern University - Baton Rouge, La. Morehouse College - Atlanta, Ga. Norfolk State University - Norfolk, Va.