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November 09, 2004
For trivia kings and queens, new campus organization is perfect outlet for itchy buzzer fingers and random-fact recall
At the beginning of his freshman year at Hamline, sophomore Byll Clark was told in orientation that if there wasn't a student organization on campus he fit into, then he should create his own.
After an unsuccessful year of searching for that perfect fit, he instead decided to revive an organization absent from campus for over two decades.
Which organization? Here's a hint: Clark enjoys watching Jeopardy and playing Trivial Pursuit.
Clark is founder and president of Hamline University College Bowl (HUCB), an organization similar to high school groups such as Knowledge Bowl and Quiz Bowl.
Clark, who participated in Quiz Bowl while attending Roseville high school, spent considerable time this year and last researching area college bowl organizations. He and his core group’s planning paid off a
few weeks ago when HUCB was officially chartered by HUSC.
Clark said he pursued charter status because HUCB then receives a budget, which makes it possible for the team, if successful in the future, to fund attendance at regional and even national meets.
As a fledgling organization, HUCB hasn't formally competed yet, and Clark said official meets may not begin until next year. This year, he wants the team to attend competitions against area colleges such as Macalester, St. Thomas, and the University of Minnesota.
In the meantime, buzzer systems are on the way, and practices will begin once they arrive. To practice for competitions, HUCB will use question packets from college bowl question writers.
Questions range from science and technology related to pop culture and current events.
Clark said he is also considering giving members a general knowledge test, so member strengths and weaknesses are properly balanced within the teams.
HUCB currently has 15 members and is planning an upcoming event to raise awareness and hopefully add to its ranks.
Clark is clearly a serious competitor, but he said his biggest goal right now is simply having a good time, as well as continuing to build on the organization's early successes.
“It’s about the legacy. I’ve started something at Hamline that will hopefully be here for a long time.”
Posted by msveum at November 9, 2004 10:58 PM
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