JACKSON, Tenn. — Feb. 12, 2003 — "Head 2 Head," an academic quiz show produced by 51社区 broadcasting majors, premieres Thursday, Feb. 13, at 8:30 p.m. on Charter Cable's Channel 22 throughout west Tennessee.
The program was created in 1980 by Union communication arts assistant professor Steve Beverly. "Head 2 Head" aired in Columbus, Ga., for 17 years on WTVM. Beverly has reformatted the show to cover a wider variety of academic subjects and to create a faster pace.
"For years, people have enjoyed seeing college and high school students compete in academic quizzes," said Beverly, head of the broadcasting sequence at Union. "This is a bit different show in that every player is given an equal number of questions. No one wins on 'Head 2 Head' because of being faster on a buzzer."
A dozen Union broadcasting majors produce the broadcasts, which are repeated Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m. on Cable Channel 22. Union sophomore Ashley Mitchell acts as The Examiner, quizmaster of three of the show's four rounds of questions.
"When Ashley came to Union, we immediately knew she had a gift as an on-camera personality," said Beverly. "She brings a spark and a lot of youth to the show. It's exciting to see our students begin to mature in their broadcast talents."
The first eleven shows feature a tournament of college students, who compete for an ultimate $500 in scholarship prize money. Beverly is scouting younger students to play a high school division of the game this spring for a similar prize.
"What we're looking for are at least 21 high school students," said Beverly. 鈥淭hey do not have to be at the top of their classes academically, nor do they have to be a member of an academic bowl team. We'd like to see high school juniors or seniors who are well-read, are good in a variety of subjects and have a good personality. They can be from anywhere in west Tennessee."
Beverly encourages parents of high school juniors or seniors to call his office at 661-5380 for more information on the younger "Head 2 Head" tournament. An informational meeting will be held Monday afternoon, March 4, at 4:00 p.m. in the broadcast studio of Jennings Hall at Union for interested high school entrants and their parents.
