ECSU Vies for Honda Campus All-Star Challenge National Championship

ECSU’s Honda Campus All-Star Challenge team, left to right, is Arrhia Palmer, Nyla Harris, assistant coach Brenna Daniel, Nomar Proctor, and Noah Gunter. They will compete for a shot at the national championship during the playoffs later this month.

Hundreds of study hours and intense preparation have paid off for the team of Viking scholars from Elizabeth City State University, who have advanced to the Sweet Sixteen Playoffs in the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) to be held March 20-21. 

This is the 20th year ECSU has participated in the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge. Led by team coach Yolanda Carcana and assistant coach Brenna Daniel, students Nyla P. Harris, a senior majoring in biology; Nomar M. Proctor, a junioir majoring in aviation; Arrhia C. Palmer, a senior majoring in chemistry; and Noah Reese Gunter, a senior majoring in aviation, will represent ECSU in the upcoming HCASC playoffs. 

ECSU will compete in the HCASC Sweet Sixteen Playoffs with the goal of advancing to the National Championship Tournament, April 17-20. 

“The Viking community is proud of the hard work these students have put into this competition,” said ECSU Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon. “I encourage everyone to continue to support their efforts and congratulate them for representing ECSU as champion scholars.”

Now in its 32^nd season, HCASC is America’s premier academic competition between students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through which Honda annually awards more than $350,000 in institutional grants to the participating institutions. Due to the pandemic, HCASC has moved from in-person events to virtual tournaments. 

Honda Campus All-Star Challenge is a year-round knowledge-based program that enhances educational experiences and personal development opportunities for HBCU students. The program challenges students to expand their scope of knowledge on a wide range of topics while gaining lifelong learning skills, including leadership, collaboration, and sportsmanship. 

During games, students work together to answer questions about history, science, literature, religion, the arts and pop culture. Outside of competition, students build camaraderie, network, and become friends for life.

Established in 1989 to recognize the academic talents of HBCU students, the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge can be a platform to help students pursue their dreams. Elizabeth City State University aims to be the last team standing and win the top prize – a $75,000 institutional grant from Honda. 

“Honda congratulates the students from Elizabeth City State Universitywho demonstrate a passion for knowledge and learning that extends beyond the classroom,” said Alexandra Warnier, manager of Corporate Social Responsibility at American Honda. “For over 30 years, Honda Campus All-Star Challenge has highlighted the academic excellence of HBCUs on a national stage. We look forward to crowning the 2021 HCASC National Champion and celebrating the achievements of these incredible students.” 

The Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Sweet Sixteen Playoffs will be live-streamed on March 20 and 21 starting at 10 a.m., EDT at HCASC.com.