Five University of Maryland Eastern Shore students represented their campus at the national 1997 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, placing among the top 16 teams out of 64 schools competing last month in Orlando, Fla.
Four of the team members are first-time players, and they all shatter the “negative research that is produced about our young black males,” said team coach Dr. Jackie Thomas, chairman of the UMES Department of English and Languages.
Team members whom Dr. Thomas calls “The Fab Five” include freshman Jaracus Copes of Pocomoke City, freshman Elden Hawkes Jr. of Baltimore, seniors John Clark of Philadelphia, sophomore William Mapp III of Painter, and sophomore Andre DeShields of Baltimore.
DeShields was the team captain and placed third nationally as an individual out of 320 participants.
His efforts earned UMES $1,000 and a bronze trophy. The team – for making it to the playoffs – received a $5,000 check as well.
“This is the best investment we ever made in these young men,” said UMES President Dolores R. Spikes during the 44th annual Honors Convocation, held on campus last Thursday.
She said the money would go back to the All-Star Team’s budget.
The competition tests student knowledge and quick recall in an academic challenge bowl competition between Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Subjects ranged from science and history to literature and music plus current events.
This was the best any UMES team has ever performed, losing in the national playoffs against Oakwood College.
Assisting Dr. Thomas as the assistant coach was Matthew Whittaker.
