Congratulations to 2014 Madison Cup winners German Baquero and Sam Erickson

Last week was the annual Department of Political Science competition, the Madison Cup. The competition is always held the same week as Constitution Day (Sept. 17), and is designed to test UAA students' knowledge of the U.S. Constitution (including Section and Article numbers). Participants can compete either as individuals or as part of a two-person team.

This year, there were five participating teams. The first two teams to reach 30 points advanced to the second round. The final two teams were Team Number One (German Baquero and Sam Erickson) and Freedom Bros (real brothers Hans and Karl Rodvick). Team Number One won with the question: "When a crime has been committed in a state, where is the trial for that crime conducted?" (Answer: "In that state," Article III, section II.)

This year's judges were professors Forrest Nabors (also master of ceremonies), Landry Signé, Mary Mathie and Kimberly Pace.

One of the many remarkable moments during the competition happened when a judge requested Team Number One to expand on a question asking what the goals of the Constitution are and, in response, the teammates recited the Preamble of the United States Constitution together. (They repeated the performance again after-watch it on YouTube.)

The winners, German Baquero and Sam Erickson, each received a copy of The Heritage Guide to the Constitution and an engraved mug. The second-place finishers, Hans and Karl Rodvick, each received a book copy of the Constitution and a gift certificate to the UAA Campus Bookstore.

For additional information about the Madison Cup, visit the Department of Political Science website.

September Archive