Quick thinking and fast fingers earned a team of Brigham Young University recreation management and youth leadership students second place at the Park and Recreation Student Quiz Bowl. The Jeopardy-style competition was part of the recent 2010 National Recreation and Parks Association Congress and Exposition held in Minneapolis, Minn.
By out-answering and eliminating a number of schools in head-to-head competition, the BYU team ultimately found itself in the finals against a student team from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. A high level of dedication to their field of study made it possible for the BYU team to advance far and finish so successfully in the event.
"Our students are committed to recreation management, and they worked hard to learn and win," says Brian Hill, the team's faculty adviser and BYU RMYL professor. "This competition demonstrated the quality of our students and faculty."
The team, made up of Lizzy King of Mesa, AZ, Natasha Alarid of Huntington Beach, Calif., Drew Hart of Phoenix, AZ and Lynda Draper of Chanhassen, Minn., was chosen from among RMYL students through a detailed selection process. Once assembled, the team was given a list of potential quiz categories by the event organizers and developed a rigorous routine to prepare.
"We developed questions that could possibly be asked and met weekly to quiz each other," says Draper. "Practicing this way helped us combine concepts from different classes and review material from past semesters."
This preparation helped BYU to compete and gain recognition on a national level. Opportunities to receive awards and rankings are uncommon for RMYL programs, making this competition a unique and memorable experience for more than just the students involved.
"Faculty members who attended the expo came and cheered for our team," Hill says. "It was pretty energizing for the students to be on a national stage and for the majority of our faculty to be present to offer support."
The Marriott School is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. The school has nationally recognized programs in accounting, business management, public management, information systems and entrepreneurship. The school's mission is to prepare men and women of faith, character and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Approximately 3,000 students are enrolled in the Marriott School's graduate and undergraduate programs.
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Writer: Tyler Weaver