SU to compete in the 21th Honda Campus All-Star Challenge
During the three-day tournament, teams from 48 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) will showcase their intellectual skills in the areas of world history, science, literature, religion, the arts, social sciences, popular culture, and African-American history and culture. The winners will receive a $50,000 grant for their college or university.
Representing Southern University at Baton Rouge are Mario Johnson, physics and chemistry major (team captain); LaDarius Abraham, biology, pre-med. major; Kenneth Barbee, urban forestry major; and Myeisha Webb, secondary education.
The four-student teams will compete in a full round robin format with the top two teams from each division advancing to the "Sweet 16," in a single elimination playoff.
The final two teams will then compete for the National Champion title in a best of 2-out-of-3 final series.
Southern, coached by professors William Moore and Ella Kelley of the Department of Chemistry with Beverly Wade, dean of the Honors College, serving as the campus coordinator, was named one of the top 16 schools in 2008. Oakwood University won the title of 2009 HCASC National Champion. Southern went undefeated in the Texas Invitation in 2006 and defeated LSU in the 2007 Honors Council Tournament.
HCASC is the first-ever academic competition between students at America's HBCUs.
HCASC competition is open to all four-year, degree-granting HBCUs in the continental U.S. More than 50,000 students have competed in the program. Each year, schools qualify to attend the National Championship Tournament.
Southern University has received $104,500 in grant money from the Honda Campus since 1990. The funds have been used for scholarship and book stipends for the student team members and preparation of the challenge.