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Questions and Answers
Q: What is Academic Challenge?
A: Academic Challenge is a competition much like the game show Jeopardy, but competition occurs in a team format rather than individually.
Q: What is a team?
A: A team consists of 4 players. Hudson usually fields at least one varsity team and one junior varsity team for various tournaments. Teams can also have substitutes who may sub in during a match.
Q: What does a round consist of?
A: Although formats may vary from tournament to tournament, a match consists of three rounds:
- Category Round - one non-competitive question for each team and one toss-up question where a team must buzz in with the correct answer. Categories include American Literature, Mathematics (Algebra I and II, Trigonometry, and Pre-Calculus), World History, Fine Arts, Life Science, English/World Literature, U.S. Government, Physical Science, World Geography and U.S. History.
- Alphabet Round - each team is given 4 minutes to complete a 20 question quiz. All of the answers begin with the same letter of the alphabet.
- Lightning Round - consists of 20 toss-up questions. Questions are drawn from the same categories as those in the category round and also mythology, spelling, popular culture, world religion, philosophy, earth and space science, quotations, and theater.
Q: How do you buzz in?
A: Each team has an electronic buzzer system that works much like the one on Jeopardy.
Q: How do you answer as a team?
A: Team members may confer with each other for a few seconds before giving a response.
Q: Do I have to be extremely smart to be on the team?
A: No. We have students competing from multiple academic levels. Everyone always has a chance to practice and improve their knowledge. Our junior varsity also allows more students to participate in tournaments. On the Academic Challenge Team you will find freshmen to seniors, regular-level to AP students.
Q: Who can be on the team?
A: Any freshman through senior at Hudson High School who is currently passing his/her classes and has no major disciplinary issues. Of course, they must also pay district fees, team dues, and have an emergency medical form on file.
Q: What are the team requirements?
A: Since this is an activity with a paid advisor, each student must pay the mandatory $20 activity fee per district rules (specific fee for Academic Challenge). This is an annual fee and is a one-time charge that covers clubs like Speech and Debate and Model UN as well (NOTE: This is separate from sports fees and marching band fees) This fee is payable to the Main Office. Students also must have a completed Emergency Medical Form on file with the team coaches (Find the forms here - use the BOTTOM TWO labeled FIELD TRIPS). There is a also a small team fee (usually $25) which is either paid directly by the student or earned through fundraising. The team dues go toward paying entry fees for tournaments, practice questions, buzzer systems, and the team banquet.
Q: How long is the season?
A: We start practicing in mid-September. Our first tournament is in October. Our last tournament is in April.
Q: When are practices?
A: We practice most Tuesdays from 3:15 pm to 4:30 pm in A201. We take breaks for midterms and OGT week, and if we have a tournament during the same week.
Q: When are tournaments?
A: Tournaments can vary. We participate in the Summit County League and those tournaments usually run from 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm on Mondays. Others are on Saturdays, and usually run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Check the Tournaments tab on this website for more detailed information. It is expected that each team member attend at least one tournament during the year.
Q: What if I'm in other sports?
A: You can certainly still participate. You may be able to participate during the fall but not the winter, for example.
Q: What is the $25 team fee?
A: Each club or activity is not fully funded by the Board of Education. On Academic Challenge we have a variety of expenses (upkeep of our expensive buzzer systems, tournament entry fees, end-of-the-year banquet, etc.) Each club is expected to do some fundraising to support itself. For many years now, team members have preferred just to pay a $25 fee and be done with the fundraising requirement (so we don't have to organize a bake sale or sell cookie dough door-to-door). Note: This is separate from the $20 annual district pay-to-play fee for extracurricular clubs.
Q: Who do I contact if I want more information or am interested in joining?
A: Contact the head coach Mr. Bolin at bobolinr@hudson.k12.oh.us
