- 48 Schools Battled for the Top Prize This Weekend at the 22nd Annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge -

(BLACK PR WIRE)--ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Overcoming stiff competition, Florida A&M University beat Oakwood University to claim their seventh National Championship title at the 22nd Annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (www.hcasc.com), an annual academic quiz competition among teams from the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Florida A&M University beat second place finisher Oakwood University and took home $50,000 in grant money for their school after answering the following question correctly:

His 2007 book, Avoid Boring People, looks back on his entire life, not just the two years in which he found fame in the 1950's, which he already chronicled in The Double Helix. For 10 additional points -- who is this U.S. geneticist and physicist who co-discovered the molecular structure of DNA?

Final Answer: James D. Watson

The Florida A&M University team included Trenton J. Johnson (Captain) senior, Computer Engineering, Dwight Williams II, junior, Mathematics, Stefan Jenkins, junior, Biomedical Engineering and Paul Kayemba, junior, English.

During the annual two-day tournament in Orlando, FL, 48 HBCU teams competed in a modified round robin format. Each school 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 top teams from the events eight divisions advanced to the "Elite Eight Playoffs” and went head to head in a round single elimination. The final two teams then competed for the National Champion title in a best 2- out of 3- final series.

While Florida A&M University took home the top prize of $50,000 in university grants for their National Championship win, Oakwood University and the other top teams did not walk away empty-handed. Second place team Oakwood University walked away with $25,000, from Kentucky State University and Tuskegee University, members of the “Final 4,” earned $15,000, and North Carolina Central University, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University and Fisk University, members of the “Elite 8,” each took home $9,500 in grants.

Since 1989, HCASC has brought together the nation’s best and brightest academic competitors from America’s top HBCUs. Throughout its history, HCASC has been the only annual academic competition between the nation’s HBCUs, touching over 50,000 students and awarding more than $6 million dollars in grants.

Quote from Florida A&M University Team Captain

"When you get the right group together you overcome all adversity. Everybody on the team has different personalities and experiences which creates a ying/yang with four components that compliment each other with perfect balance."

•Trenton J. Johnson, captain, Florida A&M University Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Team 

Quote from Oakwood University Team Captain

"The most exciting part of the competition was watching the other teams win. You make friends instantly so you're really cheering your friends on. It's a competitive sport with no hard feelings."

•Marcus Cooper, captain, Oakwood University Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Team 

Quote from Honda Executive

“The Honda Campus All-Star Challenge is one of Honda’s largest and longest running philanthropic initiatives here in the United States, and we are proud to be able to give more than $300,000 each year to deserving Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Maintaining this program allows us to invest in one of the country’s largest pipelines for professional and academic talent, and even in these tough economic times, it is important that we continue to support our nation’s future leaders.”

•Steve Morikawa, assistant vice president, Corporate Community Relations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. 

More Information

For broadcast quality, downloadable footage of final games, round robin games, interviews and photos of the “Elite Eight” HCASC teams please visit http://www.epklink.com/hondaallstar/.

For more information on the Honda Campus All Star Challenge and a list of the 48 participating HBCUs, please go to www.HCASC.com. 

About Honda

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, along with the Honda Battle of the Bands, are two of Honda’s major initiatives supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities and helping young people pursue their dreams.

HCASC Electronic Media Kit: http://www.epklink.com/hondaallstar/
HCASC on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HCASC
HCASC on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/hcasc

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6680504&lang=en