2008 Woodie Awards
Sordid scandals, St. Louis locales fill trivia trials
By: Alexandra Smith
Issue date: 10/12/06 Section: LifeStyle
As part of Homecoming, Grant Gymnasium was packed Oct. 6 not with adoring fans, not with mascots and cheerleaders, but with hundreds of trivia gurus. Teams competed in 10 rounds of 10 questions to win the coveted title of Webster University's ultimate trivia champion.
The trivia challenge, an annual Homecoming event open to alumni, students and friends of Webster, was a competition consisting of 24 different tables of competitors. Each table worked as a team to pool their knowledge in 10 different categories of questions: movies, the '80s, famous places in St. Louis, sordid scandals in sports, "The Wizard of Oz," St. Louis trivia, advertising slogans, music, television and famous Missourians.
"This year has been a better turnout than any year we've ever had," said Chip Schafer, class of 1996 and president of the Alumni Association.
More than 200 people attended the event, which is designed to raise money for the Alumni Association as well as Alumni Coming Together, which sponsors events to help alumni network and stay connected, Schafer said.
The trivia challenge is one of the most popular and well-attended traditions of the Homecoming weekend, Schafer said.
"Trivia nights are really fun," said Stephanie Camden, class of 1997. "It builds camaraderie and is a good reason to get together for a fun and entertaining time."
Winning tables were awarded cash prizes of $250 for first place and $150 for second place. The table with the best decoration theme was awarded $100. Table decorations ranged from superheroes to SpongeBob, but a poker-themed table complete with playing cards, green visors and appropriate snacks took home the prize. The team members at the table were friends of the judges.
Nick McGeehon, a senior public relations major, student chairman of Homecoming, said he was glad to see more students attending trivia night than in past years. McGeehon said the event is one of many opportunities during Homecoming weekend intended to include current students as well as alumni.
Senior Susi Riegel, a math major, said even though her team only answered 48 of 100 questions correctly and came in last place, the trivia challenge was a fun evening and a good way to get involved in Homecoming festivities.
"If the time would allow it, I would definitely come back for it," Riegel said.
For the second time in three years, Ted Hoef, dean of students, was a member of a winning Homecoming trivia team. His nine-member team correctly answered 93 questions. Hoef said they plan to split the cash.
For many, the night was more about socializing and catching up with old friends than trivia.
"It was a lot of fun seeing people I haven't seen in a while," said Mathias Jackson, a graduate international relations student. "Next year, I'm coming back and winning."
The trivia challenge, an annual Homecoming event open to alumni, students and friends of Webster, was a competition consisting of 24 different tables of competitors. Each table worked as a team to pool their knowledge in 10 different categories of questions: movies, the '80s, famous places in St. Louis, sordid scandals in sports, "The Wizard of Oz," St. Louis trivia, advertising slogans, music, television and famous Missourians.
"This year has been a better turnout than any year we've ever had," said Chip Schafer, class of 1996 and president of the Alumni Association.
More than 200 people attended the event, which is designed to raise money for the Alumni Association as well as Alumni Coming Together, which sponsors events to help alumni network and stay connected, Schafer said.
The trivia challenge is one of the most popular and well-attended traditions of the Homecoming weekend, Schafer said.
"Trivia nights are really fun," said Stephanie Camden, class of 1997. "It builds camaraderie and is a good reason to get together for a fun and entertaining time."
Winning tables were awarded cash prizes of $250 for first place and $150 for second place. The table with the best decoration theme was awarded $100. Table decorations ranged from superheroes to SpongeBob, but a poker-themed table complete with playing cards, green visors and appropriate snacks took home the prize. The team members at the table were friends of the judges.
Nick McGeehon, a senior public relations major, student chairman of Homecoming, said he was glad to see more students attending trivia night than in past years. McGeehon said the event is one of many opportunities during Homecoming weekend intended to include current students as well as alumni.
Senior Susi Riegel, a math major, said even though her team only answered 48 of 100 questions correctly and came in last place, the trivia challenge was a fun evening and a good way to get involved in Homecoming festivities.
"If the time would allow it, I would definitely come back for it," Riegel said.
For the second time in three years, Ted Hoef, dean of students, was a member of a winning Homecoming trivia team. His nine-member team correctly answered 93 questions. Hoef said they plan to split the cash.
For many, the night was more about socializing and catching up with old friends than trivia.
"It was a lot of fun seeing people I haven't seen in a while," said Mathias Jackson, a graduate international relations student. "Next year, I'm coming back and winning."
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