The Grambling State University quiz bowl team participated in the national qualifying tournament of the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge for a chance at $50,000 Feb. 15 and 16 in Phoenix.
”I am more than satisfied, I’m super proud of them because they did amazing,” said Jasmine Ayatey, a freshman elementary education major from Natchitoches. “It was really exciting to see my team progress so far.”
In the past 10 years, Grambling has only won one game and this is the first time since 1992 that the university has advanced this far.
Members of the GSU quiz bowl team include Ayatey, Alexandrea Fenceroy, special education and social studies major, Dave Fields, nursing major, David Joiner, history major and Jharrayne McKnight, chemistry and biology major. They competed against 15 schools including five HBCUs at the tournament receiving fourth place with a 4-1 record.
In preparation for the tournament, the quiz bowl team practiced three times a week on mathematics, social studies, geography and other subjects that the tournament covers. Mae Conley, who is an assistant professor in the Criminal Justice Department at Grambling and coach of the team, is proud of her team’s achievements.
”I’m truly excited and I feel really good about it,” said Conley. She hopes that with what the team accomplished other students will come out and join the team.
”It gives other HBCUs an opportunity to see what else is going on besides sports,” added Conley. She also looks to gain support from other teams and organizations around campus.
To make it to regionals, the quiz bowl team had to compete in a number of quizzes on campus that led up to the tournament. Only losing one round might just allow the team a chance at the national playoff in California and the money.