- Nation's Best & Brightest Shine at the 20th Annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge -

(BLACK PR WIRE) (March 30, 2009) ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 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. For the second year in a row Oakwood University emerged victorious as the 2009 National Champions of The Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (www.hcasc.com). This weekend more than 320 college students from 64 of the nation's leading Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) gathered in Orlando, Florida to participate in the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, a three-day academic competition that tests knowledge, teamwork and speed.

Oakwood University showcased their skills and intellect by quickly and accurately 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. "The Honda Campus All-Star Challenge gives us the opportunity to come out, represent our school and compete with an amazing group of people," said Oakwood University team captain Alesis Turner. "Competition was tough, but once again we had a great team and I walk a little taller from having had the opportunity to play with them again."

Since 1989, 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 competed for the National Champion title in a best 2 out of 3 final series.

The Oakwood University team included: Team Captain Alesis Turner, senior, electrical engineering; Marcus Cooper, sophomore, history; Meaghan Hicks, junior, international studies; Jason Primus, junior, biology; Alexander Brown, junior, political science; and Coach Dr. R. Rennae Elliott.

In addition to Oakwood University and North Carolina Central University, student teams from Alabama's Tuskegee University and Georgia's Morehouse College also demonstrated their academic prowess by making it to the final four.

For downloadable broadcast quality b-roll footage of local schools competing visit the Medialink Digital Newsroom at www.mediaseed.tv. For more information on the Honda Campus All Star Challenge and a list of the 64 participating HBCUs, please visit www.HCASC.com.

About Honda

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment in 1959 of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda's first overseas subsidiary. Honda began U.S. motorcycle production in Ohio in 1979, and U.S. automobile production in 1982. The company has invested more than $10.6 billion in its North America operations, including 16 major manufacturing facilities employing more than 34,000 associates, to produce Honda and Acura automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, personal watercraft, lawn mowers, general-purpose engines, and other power equipment products.

Based on its belief in The Power of Dreams Honda supports a variety of initiatives aimed at advancing education and creating experiences of discovery that help people see and achieve their own dreams. The Honda Campus All-Star Challenge is just one of the many programs that demonstrate Honda's long-term commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and to helping young people follow their dreams.

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Source: American Honda Motor Co.