ORLANDO, Fla. (April 17, 2007) – Tough, steady and ready were the final-four schools in a spirited contest of mental muscle during the 2007 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge. As the final seconds came to an end, a team of students from
Tennessee State University emerged victorious as the National Champion of the annual academic competition of the best and brightest students of the nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) on Sunday in Orlando, Florida.

Tennessee State showcased their skills and intellect by quickly and accurately answering questions on world history, science, literature, religion, the arts, social sciences, popular culture and African-American history and culture. They topped second place finisher, Florida A&M University, to claim the championship and take home $50,000 in grant money for their school.

More than 320 college students from 64 HBCUs across the country competed in the three-day tournament to win grants and glory for their academic institutions. American Honda Motor Co. Inc., provided more than $300,000 in institutional funds to competing HBCUs.

The academic teams were joined by nearly 100 HBCU presidents, educators, alumni and community volunteers who attended the event to support and cheer on participating students. Now in its 18th year, the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge themed this year the “Evolution of a Champion” speaks to the association of exciting new ideas, a network of outstanding young minds and the ever-growing family of great friends for life, the competition is only part of the bigger picture.

“HCASC provides a platform for America’s best and brightest from the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities to come together as competitors while becoming a part of a family,” said Eric Conn, assistant vice president of Corporate Relations for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Honda is proud to provide students with the opportunity to compete, exercise teamwork, and the rare experience of networking and establishing valuable long-term relationships with other contestants, alumni and volunteers.”

During the three-day tournament, 64 HBCU teams of four compete in a modified round robin format. The top two teams from each of eight divisions advance to the "Sweet 16,” in a single elimination playoff. The final two teams then compete for the National Champion title in a best 2- out of 3- final series.

The Tennessee State team included: captain David Macias, junior, political science and players Dwayne Morrow Jr., senior, political science and pre-law, Larry J. Cook, Jr. senior, electrical engineering, Ismaila Badjie, junior, chemistry and biology and Milton Rice, senior, political science. They were coached by John Miglietta, associate professor.

In addition to Tennessee State University and Florida A&M University, student teams from Tuskegee University and the University of D.C. also demonstrated their academic prowess by making it to the final four.

The Honda Campus All-Star Challenge is the only competition of its kind and was established by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., in 1989. Since the inception of the program, more than 50,000 HBCU students have participated, and Honda has awarded more than $5 million in grants to HBCUs to improve campus life through facility improvements and expanded academic resources.


Editor’s Note: High resolution images of the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge available by contacting Vanessa Dominguez or Kinya Claiborne.


2007 Sweet 16 Teams

Florida A&M University
Howard University
Alabama A&M University
Hampton University
District of Columbia University
Oakwood College
West Virginia State College
Clark Atlanta University
Harris Stowe University
Winston-Salem College
Southern-Baton Rouge University
Tuskegee University
Grambling State University
Norfolk State University
Tennessee State University
North Carolina Central University