
The University of New Mexico
NEWS RELEASE
Media Contact: Laurie Mellas, 277-5915
May 10, 2007
UNM Student Honored at National College Bowl Tournament
Jason Zuffranieri of the University of New Mexico College Bowl Team was honored Monday with the Pat Moonen Sportsmanship Award at the College Bowl National Championship Tournament, hosted by the University of Southern California.
College Bowl Company, in cooperation with the Association of College Unions International (ACUI), produces the championship.
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| From left: Krista Foutz,
Matthew Touchin,
John Ogren,
John McCulloch,
Jason V. Zuffranieri |
The award is presented annually to the player who most embodies the characteristics of fair play, courtesy and competitive spirit. College Bowl is a question and answer game of general knowledge and quick recall. Game questions cover every conceivable topic from history to literature to sports and popular culture.
Zuffranieri, team captain, was also named to the All-Star Team. His 73 points per game was the third highest average at the tournament. He is a UNM graduate student in statistics from Phoenix, Ariz.
“I'd like to think that my generally positive attitude towards whatever came our team's way at the tournament provided even just a tiny example of how a player can have a good time regardless of the end result,” Zuffranieri said. “Many players were quicker on the buzz and had deeper knowledge on subjects, but I don't know any players that enjoyed themselves more.”
The Lobos compiled a 7-8 record in the tournament to finish tenth of 16 teams. The University of Minnesota defeated the University of Southern California to win the championship.
Zuffranieri was joined on the UNM team by Krista Foutz, a junior from Gallup majoring in history, John McCulloch, a junior from Farmington majoring in chemical engineering; John Ogren, a senior from Marion, Massachusetts, majoring in physics, and Matthew Touchin, a senior from Gallup majoring in creative writing.
“This is a humbling award that I believe could have gone to any number of players, certainly including my teammates,” Zuffranieri said. “My attitude towards the game is that nothing should come between trying your best, both at answering the questions and at making sure the teams are treated fairly and with an appropriate amount of respect.”
New Mexico qualified for the College Bowl National Championship by winning a regional qualifying tournament held at the University of Utah. This marks the third consecutive year the Lobos qualified for the national championship tournament. New Mexico finished 16th in the nation in 2005, and 15th in 2006.
Full tournament results are available on-line at http://www.collegebowl.com/nct07/results.asp. Photos are available upon request from tfm@collegebowl.com.
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