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SCSU stumped by trivia event
The tension radiates off Stimy. He knows this answer, he knows it. He gets on the phone and calls a friend and repeats the question.
Silence. "Mmmhm," said Brian Sietsma (Stimy). "Yeah. OK. SOMEONE CALL IN."
Stimy has found the answer to his question. Dave Neston (Squid) calls in.
"I'm in," said Neston. Panties Waaaay Too Tight anxiously awaits.
It's just the halfway point for Trivia Tube 2002 in the basement of Scott Condit's house. Over 30 people are mingling, talking, researching. Nick Rasmussen has his head glued to the front of the computer screen. Everyone is looking for the answers.
So what is Trivia you ask? Well for the 23rd year in a row, KVSC 88.1 FM, SCSU's student run radio station, hosted its annual Trivia. Writers, volunteers, students and faculty have sacrificed their weekend for a 50-hour marathon to compete in a competition that quizzes teams' knowledge from radio, television, history and pure trivia. The questions range from too easy to "huh?"
Teams register weeks in advance, with this year's teams numbering 69. The teams playing were mostly from the St. Cloud area, but there were a few from nowhere near. The farthest team played from Colorado. Each team ranged in size, age and wealth of knowledge. The youngest member was from Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women. She was about 9 months old.
Questions range from 10 points to 450 points. The questions are written over the course of the previous years by people designated to do so, about five in all. The goal: answer the question correctly within the time slot appointed and achieve the points, most points wins. The hardest part? Maintaining patience and consciousness.
Back in Condit's basement, Squid answers.
"Yes?" said Neston. "And you are? Thank you Jenny Talia. We got it!"
The room cheers enthusiastically. Smiles are shared, a laugh. Someone lights a cigarette. You can feel the frustration. You can feel the energy, like the static electricity that builds up in your socks until you touch the metal door handle. Building up.
The basement is another world. Posters, trivial items, comical items, walls and walls of books. Two computers grinding to the sound of DSL and two line phones calling in the questions. Cell phones everywhere. Someone is napping. It is not quiet. The evening has started. Those who will be taking the overnight shift begin to awake. Dressed for comfort, groggy, but the hunger to play gleams in their eyes like the snow that falls heavily outside. Everyone wearing panties on their heads.
"Who's got dinner?" asks Brad Olson.
Someone calls out that they do. Some take a dinner break. Neston turns up the radio. Condit asks to record it, to be quiet. A hush falls.
It's a sound question. Scott records it. One question of nine that hour. Each hour nine questions open, with the exception of the speed rounds, where 18 questions are asked. Before that hour ends, before the question is closed, they need to answer it. Can they do it? The Panties do a chain of phone calls and brain racketeering to figure out the question. Another 65 points.
The basement has become another living world. A family. Everyone here knows someone from way back when. They come from different areas. Some used vacation time to participate. A valid reminder that there is no place like home, or at least that there is no person like family.
The food and the beverages flow. No one cares that they need to move their car. No one is glued to the Olympics. No one knows much other than the question at hand. Then it arrives. The doll from the Voodoo Dolls. Like every year, they leave a little icon to adhere to their team name and spirit.
It is family. It is another world. Cultish? If that's what you want to say. Others might agree that it is a celebration of friends, gathering to share a most enjoyable 50 hours you can with the same 30 plus something people.
Crunch hour. The last eight hours are intense. The 450 point question is dealt. It's an audio clip. To figure out all 24 voices and their television or radio relation.
Hour 50 hits. The questions are more of a personal tone, the kind where contestants just give an answer. Most of Condit's crew is dying of laughter. Neston can't keep a strait face. Neither can Marty Sundvall. The awards ceremony is up.
Now never to forget the countless volunteers, sponsors and willing people. All 16 phones were answered by volunteers, 24 hours all 50 hours.
Trivia Tube 2002 Hall of Fame
Trivia Tube Winners:
Fifth Place: Voodoo Dolls.
Fourth Place: Loose Meat Sandwiches.
Third Place: Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women.
Second Place: Animal House.
First Place: Sigma Phi Nothing
Best Team Name: Winona Ryder Stole Our Team Name.
Best Phone Bank Names: Jenny Talia and Prince Farquot.
Nissa Billmyer can be reached at: [email protected]
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