- Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) celebrates HBCU academic excellence
- 32 HBCU teams to battle for glory in the 36th HCASC National Championship Tournament
- Honda provides over $500,000 in grants to HBCUs
- Tune in April 17 to see which team takes home the championship title: https://www.youtube.com/hcascnct
TORRANCE, Calif., March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Fueled by their passion for knowledge and academic excellence, over 200 students and coaches from 32 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are gearing up to compete in the 36th Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC), America’s premier academic competition for HBCU students. Fans can watch the exciting HCASC National Championship finals on April 17 at 3:00 p.m. PDT by visiting HCASC NCT on YouTube.
Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) is a dynamic, year-round program that highlights the academic talents of HBCU students nationwide. Fans can watch the exciting HCASC National Championship finals on April 17, 2025.
Following their success in the HCASC national qualifying tournaments in February, the “Thrilling 32” teams are advancing to the 2025 HCASC National Championship Tournament to vie for the title and a share of more than $500,000 in institutional grants from Honda. The National Championship Tournament will be held near the American Honda corporate headquarters in Torrance, California.
“Now in its fourth decade, Honda Campus All-Star Challenge has showcased the brilliance and vibrant culture of HBCU students across generations, helping drive the powerful legacy of HBCUs,” said Jasmine Cockfield, Honda Campus All-Star Challenge project lead at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Honda is thrilled to champion and inspire the next generation of leaders, empowering HBCU students with the resources and experiences to help turn their dreams into reality.”
The Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Legacy
Honda Campus All-Star Challenge is a dynamic, year-round program that highlights the academic talents of HBCU students nationwide. Each four-student team competes in an exhilarating head-to-head showdown, rapidly answering questions on topics ranging from history and science to math and pop culture. HCASC encourages students to broaden their knowledge across diverse subjects while honing their leadership and teamwork abilities. Competing against peers from other HBCUs, participants build networks, receive mentorship from HCASC alumni and Honda associates, and create “Friends for Life.” Beyond the competition, Honda offers development seminars to equip students with the skills they need to thrive after graduation.
Since its launch in 1989, Honda Campus All-Star Challenge has supported over 175,000 HBCU students in achieving their dreams. This year, Honda will provide more than $500,000 in institutional grants to the participating HBCUs, with many of the schools utilizing the grants to fund student scholarships. The winning team will receive a grand prize of $100,000 from Honda.
Meet the “Thrilling 32” HBCUs
Teams from the following HBCUs will travel to Torrance, California, to compete in the 2025 HCASC National Championship Tournament:
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Alabama A&M University |
Livingstone College |
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Alabama State University |
University of Maryland Eastern Shore |
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Albany State University |
Morehouse College |
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Benedict College |
Norfolk State University |
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Bowie State University |
North Carolina A&T State University |
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Central State University |
North Carolina Central University |
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Clark Atlanta University |
Paul Quinn College |
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Dillard University |
Prairie View A&M University |
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University of the District of Columbia |
Rust College |
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Edward Waters University |
Shaw University |
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Fisk University |
Southern University – Baton Rouge |
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Hampton University |
Spelman College |
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Howard University |
Tennessee State University |
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Kentucky State University |
Tuskegee University |
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Langston University |
Virginia State University |
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Lincoln University-Pennsylvania |
Winston-Salem State University |
Fast Facts
- The HCASC game format consists of three Face-Off rounds with bonus questions, and wraps up with the Ultimate Challenge round, where any team has a chance to make an exciting comeback and win.
- To prepare for the competition, students spend hundreds of hours studying science, history, art, current events, math, African American history, geography, literature, sports, and pop culture.
- This year’s HCASC National Championship Tournament will feature five of the six HBCUs that participated in Honda Battle of the Bands 2025 in February.
- Morehouse College is the only school to qualify for all 36 HCASC National Championship Tournaments.
- Over 90% of student participants say that lifelong friendships are an important benefit of HCASC.
- There are 89 eligible HBCUs that can participate in HCASC, representing 20 states and the District of Columbia.
- HCASC alumni are making their mark worldwide, excelling in fields such as science, engineering, medicine, media, aeronautics, education, industry, and government.
Follow the “Thrilling 32” teams’ journeys to the HCASC National Championship on the HCASC Facebook, Instagram, Threads and TikTok.
About Honda and Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Honda has supported the success and dreams of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students for over 35 years, through programs such as the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge and Honda Battle of the Bands. These initiatives have impacted the lives of more than 300,000 students and provided over $14 million in grants toward HBCU education programs and facilities improvements.
Through its “Drive the Legacy” initiative, Honda partners with HBCUs and organizations such as the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, National Urban League, and local UNCF chapters, to offer development opportunities to HBCU students and recruit top talent for its future workforce. Honda also supports initiatives of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus to bring together government, industry and HBCUs to create strategic, more sustainable HBCU partnerships.
SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
