After participating in a national qualifying tournament, Florida A&M University (FAMU) will compete against fellow historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) at the 29th annual Honda Campus All‐Star Challenge (HCASC) National Championship Tournament. Teams from 48 HBCUs will go head‐to‐head in the National Championship of America’s premier academic quiz for top HBCU scholars on the American Honda Motor Co., Inc. campus in Torrance, California. Florida A&M University has the opportunity to win the HCASC top prize – a $75,000 institutional grant from Honda.
FAMU will be represented by Travian Davonte Marquis Albert, a junior majoring in political science and psychology from Milton, Fla.; Bryan Walters Anderson, a junior majoring in industrial engineering from Coral Springs, Fla.; Darryl Eugene Williams, Jr., a junior majoring in political science and pre‐law from Bradenton, Fla.; and David O. Kadiri, a senior majoring in biology from Benin, West Africa. Vivian L. Hobbs, Ph.D., will coach the team.
The Honda Campus All‐Star Challenge is a year‐round program that includes campus engagement, intramural play, qualifying tournaments and culminates with the national championship. The fast‐paced competition highlights students’ academic prowess and ability to answer questions about history, science, literature, religion, the arts and pop culture. As a result, students expand their scope of knowledge; learn teamwork and sportsmanship; travel to California to represent their schools at the national championship tournament; and develop a bond with their fellow competitors. HCASC’s active alumni group also supports students with networking and mentorship opportunities post‐graduation.
“Honda congratulates Florida A&M University for advancing to the ‘Great 48,’ a group that represents some of the brightest HBCU students across the country,” said Steve Morikawa, vice president for corporate relations and social responsibility of the American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Beyond the impressive academic competition, Honda Campus All‐Star Challenge has fostered a network of ‘friends for life’ that champions students as they pursue their professional dreams. We look forward to hosting an exciting HCASC National Championship Tournament in April.”
In 1989, Honda established HCASC to highlight and recognize the academic achievements of HBCU students. More than $8.5 million in grants from Honda have provided support for scholarships, facility upgrades and other investments to improve the student experience. Now in its 29th year, more than 125,000 students have participated in HCASC.
The 2018 HCASC finals will be live‐streamed on Tuesday, April 10 starting at 12 p.m. ET at HCASC.com. For more information on HCASC, including a full list of the 48 qualifying teams, visit www.hcasc.com.
