While college basketball teams were competing for March Madness bragging rights, other highly gifted student were doing the same – just not on the basketball court.
The UMES Honda All-Stars joined more than 320 college students from 64 HBCUs for a three-day academic competition that tested their knowledge, teamwork and speed.
The Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (www.hcasc.com), which took place Friday, March 27, through Sunday, March 29, in Orlando, Fla., is the largest academic competition of its kind.
After 28 rounds of play, the UMES team emerged as one of the top two of the eight teams in its division.
For the 2009 Sweet Sixteen Playoff, UMES defeated Mississippi Valley, advancing to play as one of the elite eight teams.
Pitted against Morehouse, UMES fell six points of a win. The final score was Morehouse, 270 to UMES’ 265. Play for UMES ended at the semi-finals.
“This tournament is not just about winning,” said Dr. Hellenna Terrell, team coach and director of the UMES Honors Program, “it is about competitive spirit, intellectual prowess and sportsmanship.
Our Hawks were the Cinderella’s of the tournament, garnering unwavering support from other teams as well as from many of the college presidents in attendance. Kudos to team members: Meredith Esguerra, Fred Stephens, Christina Sutton, Essence Hales and Danika Barber.”
During the tournament, Oakwood University of Huntsville, Ala., claimed their second consecutive national championship by showcasing their skills and intellect and quickly answering questions on world history, science, literature, religion, the arts, social sciences, popular culture and African-American history and culture.
The final question that secured their victory read:
The tiny kingdom of Bhutan is the first nation to release these items made of steel, of 3D holograms, and, in 2008, of tiny CD-ROM’s. For 10 points — what are these small objects of interest to philatelists? (Correct answer: Stamps)
Oakwood University beat second-place finisher North Carolina Central University to claim the championship and take home grant money for their school.
In addition to Oakwood University, student teams from North Carolina Central University, Alabama’s Tuskegee University and Georgia’s Morehouse College also demonstrated their academic prowess by making it to the final four.
While Oakwood University of Huntsville, Ala., walked away with the grand prize, each participating institution took home grant money for their school.
Since 1989, the HCASC has brought together the nation’s best and brightest academic competitors from America’s top HBCUs. Throughout its 20-year history, HCASC has been the only annual academic competition between the nation’s HBCUs, touching over 50,000 students and awarding monetary grants to participating HBCUs.
“The Honda Campus All-Star Challenge was created to highlight the intellectual and competitive skills of HBCU students and provide an opportunity to build life-long friendships,” said Marc Burt, senior manager, Office of Inclusion and Diversity, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Today, 20 years later, we are proud to say that HCASC not only shines a light on the academic excellence of HBCU students, but also serves as a platform for the educational, cultural and personal enrichment of our nation’s youth. As Honda marks 50 years of operations in the U.S, we are honored to be part of this life-enriching event.”
During the three-day tournament, the 64 HBCU teams competed in a modified round robin format. The top two teams from each of eight divisions advance to the “Sweet 16,” in a single elimination playoff. The final two teams then compete for the National Champion title in a best 2- out of 3- final series.
For more information on the Honda Campus All Star Challenge and a list of the 64 participating HBCUs, please visit www.HCASC.com.
