A team from Rogers State University earned a place in the finals of KSBI-TV’s Mind Games academic challenge, earning a total of $19,000 in scholarship money for all the RSU students who competed.
RSU eventually lost to Southwestern Oklahoma State University in the spring semester finals that aired last month, but not until claiming its share of prize money. Jacob Daniel of Claremore was the spring team captain. Other team members were Victor Brown of Claremore, Zach Coker of Tulsa, Cameron Dicken of Bartlesville and Ryon Whitfield of Owasso.
They defeated teams from East Central University, Northern Oklahoma College and Tulsa Community College to earn the finals berth.
The Hillcats won $19,000 out of the $200,000 scholarship pool that was awarded through the year.
“Some of the team members used the scholarship money for study abroad opportunities or applied it toward their tuition,” said team co-coach Dr. James Ford, who also serves Professor of English and Humanities and Director of RSU’s Honors Program. “Because the team was so successful, there is still money to be awarded in the future.”
RSU fielded two teams in the fall, placing one in the quarterfinal round. RSU students who competed in the fall competition were Holly Bates, Chelsea Blackmore, Brown, Coker, Daniel, Dicken, and Andrew Robinson.
“We are immensely proud of how our teams competed during the year,” said co-coach Dr. Carolyn Taylor, who also serves as Professor of History and Political Science and the university’s Strategic Initiatives Coordinator. “It was inspiring to see how motivated the teams were knowing the bulk of the scholarship winnings would benefit others.”
Mind Games, sponsored by the Chickasaw Nation, wrapped up its first season on KSBI-TV. The competition brought together teams of students from Oklahoma colleges and universities in a weekly battle of the brains. More than 20 schools and 30 teams competed throughout the year.
RSU’s finals appearance can be viewed online along with the entire first season of Mind Games at: http://www.ksbitv.com/mind-games.