Students to compete in Honda challenge

While America's athletes are going for the gold in Sochi, Grambling State University students are competing on Saturday, Feb. 15 in trials for the "Olympics of the mind," Honda Campus All-Star Challenge.

Honda Campus All-Star Challenge is a knowledge game of quick recall for America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Now in its 25th year, more than $7 million in grants have been awarded by Honda to participating HBCUs and nearly 100,000 students in 22 states have participated.

Students Alexandrea Fenceroy, Dave Fields, David Joiner, Jharrayne McKnight and their coach Mae Conley, assistant professor, criminal justice are representing GSU at the National Qualifying Tournament at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas.

Fourty-eight teams from the qualifying tournaments will advance to the National Championship Tournament at Honda's Torrance, Calif. headquarters. Over $300,000 is at stake this year, with the champion HBCU earning a $50,000 grant. The 48-team field will be announced on Thursday, Feb. 20 via a live Webcast.

"Honda would like to wish good luck to all the HCASC teams attempting to qualify for the National Championship tournament this weekend. The journey started at the beginning of the school year and has included long hours of hard work, practice and study, in addition to your regular academic course load.

"Good luck to all the teams, we look forward to greeting the Great 48 in Torrance in April," said Stephan Morikawa, assistant vice president for Corporate Community Relations, American Honda.

In 1989, Honda, with the College Bowl Company created the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) in support of the unique mission of America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Historical data about the program is available at http://www.hcasc.com.

The American Honda Motor Co. Inc., was founded in 1959. Honda's commitment to HBCUs and their communities demonstrates their belief that success is not measured only in the cars they produce, but in the lives they enhance. For more information about Honda, go to: http://www.Honda.com.