Academic Team gains support from Clark Atlanta University Community

The Clark Atlanta Honda All-Star Team made the Sweet Sixteen in the 2012 Honda National Championship but with more university involvement the team can be the 2013 tournament winners.

Over thirty students, student organizations, and other members of the CAU family attended a reception and informational on Friday, April 13^th in the Bishop Cornelius L. Henderson Student Center to establish how they could Get in the G.A.M.E. with Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC). The G.A.M.E. is a campaign that will encourage the entire university to Give Academic teams More Energy.

For the past 23 years Honda has promoted leadership, diversity, and academic excellence through the HCASC tournament. This annual competition brings 48 teams from top Historically Black Colleges and Universities for the only HBCU National Championship of its kind. Over 6 million dollars and over $300,000 in annual grants have been awarded to participating institutions.  Additionally, over 75,000 students have been impacted by this tournament. This year’s national tournament was held on April 1 and 2 in Torrance, CA. It tested students’ knowledge on history, science, literature, religion, arts, social science, and popular culture.

Alumni member of CAU’s HCASC team and 2009-2010 team captain, A. Philanda Moore said, “The competition teaches you dedication, consistency, and team work. I have been able to have fun learning and competing but the ultimate goal is to make friends for life from the competition."

2011-2012 CAU HCASC Team (L to R): Sequana Johnson, Ayanna Smith,
Jazmyne Preston, Dorian-Grace Longshore, Ammari Koonce,
Gwendolyn Morgan (Coach),
Benjamin Armstrong (Assistant Coach),
 Jessica Bloxom, Khadeidra Billingsley,
Ariel Cobb (Captain),
and Alma Vinyard (Assistant Coach).

Student organizations such as Campus Activities Board, CAU’s Chapter of NAACP, the Atlanta University Center’s Royal Court, and others attended the reception to not only honor the academic team but to find out how their organization could assist in the success of the team for 2012-2013.  For years, the HCASC team has acquired much of its support from student organizations and programs like Student Government Association and the Honors Program.  First attendant to Miss NAACP 2012-2013, Brianna Williams said, “The mission of NAACP is to pursue political, social, and educational equality among all races. This event has encouraged me and my organization to discover ways to motivate students to get involved with HCASC and further the mission of NAACP.”

This year Clark Atlanta’s HCASC team was one of three all female teams at the national tournament. The team went 4-1 in round robin play with its only loss being to Morgan State, who then progressed to the 2012 National Champions. During the Sweet Sixteen playoffs CAU lost to Alabama State University. The team consisted of a senior, Ariel Cobb; sophomore, Khadeidra N. Billngsley; and freshmen, Jazmyne L. Preston; and Ayanna Nicole Smith. The team’s coach Gwendolyn Morgan has served in this position for the last twenty-two years.  In addition, Clark Atlanta University’s President, Dr. Carlton E. Brown, attended the 2012 National Championship Tournament. At the reception, he charged the Clark Atlanta family to find more innovative ways to get involved with the team in order to contribute to its success.

At the reception, the team spoke of the confidence and excitement it has for the 2013 tournament. Next year, the team looks forward to another shot to compete for the national champions of the HCASC tournament which is a title Clark Atlanta has not claimed since 2000.