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FAMU Wins 9th Honda Campus All-Star Challenge

3 April 1998

Florida A & M University Claims Title in the 9th Annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge at Walt Disney World

    ORLANDO, Fla., April 3 -- Florida A&M University (FAMU) has
won the Ninth Annual, Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) National
Championship Tournament in Orlando, Florida, March 12 -16, 1998.  Completing
one of the strongest performances ever in a tournament, the Rattlers took
their third title in the 1990s.
    The HCASC program, sponsored by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., consists
of sixty-four student teams from America's Historically Black Colleges and
Universities (HBCUs) that come together to compete in the academic question
and answer competition.  The student teams, competing for monetary grants for
their institutions, answered questions on history, science and current issues,
as well as African-American history, culture and achievement. Since the
inception of the program American Honda has donated over $2.5 million in
grants to over 75 HBCUs, and touched the lives of over 15,000 participants.
    This year's competition was tough with every student giving their best
effort.  Through intense competition the sixty-four team field was narrowed to
the Elite Four.  These top semi-finalist teams included Florida A&M
University, Oakwood College, Tuskegee University, and defending champion
Alabama State University.
    Florida A&M University was crowned the 1998 National Champion following
what many considered the best National Championship Final in the history of
the program.  Competing against 1993 and 1994 National Champion Tuskegee
University, FAMU forged commanding leads throughout the game.  But the Golden
Tigers of Tuskegee came roaring back each time until the last question which
the FAMU team answered correctly earning the title and $50,000 for their
institution.  Though FAMU won top honors, every HBCU that participates is a
winner.  Each institution in the competition receives a monetary grant from
American Honda.
    The HCASC program is about more than just competition, however.  Being one
of the largest meetings of African American students, HBCU presidents, and
volunteers, HCASC qualifies as an important educational and networking summit.
    The theme of this year's tournament, "On The Move," reflected the mobility
of these gifted young men and women to the next level in their lives and
careers.  Striving to become America's next generation of leadership.
    "The Honda Campus All-Star Challenge program represents a stepping stone
for many HBCU students.  One step forward for their colleges, but most
importantly a leap forward in their personal development as leaders in their
communities.  The ability for 320 of the best and brightest students in
America to network and generate ideas is a key aspect of the program.  Not
only for Honda, but for everyone looking to build a better future," say Eric
Conn, Senior Manager of National Auto Advertising at American Honda.
    An exciting announcement was also made by Mr. Conn at the closing
ceremonies, the Tenth Anniversary Honda Campus All-Star Challenge National
Championship Tournament in 1999 will take place in our nation's capital,
Washington, D. C.  Returning to the city in which the program originated,
HCASC aims to bring the grandeur of Washington together with strength of the
HBCUs which participate in the program.
SOURCE  American Honda Motor Co., Inc.