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History/Hall of Fame

Trivia History

• KVSC Trivia Marathon History
• Previous Themes
• Masters of Trivia

KVSC Trivia Hall of Fame

• 2013 Inductees
• 2012 Inductees
• 2011 Inductees
• 2009 Inductees
• 2008 Inductees
• 2007 Inductees
• 2006 Inductees
• 2005 Inductees
• 2004 Inductees
• 2003 Inductees
• 2002 Inductees
• 2001 Inductees
• 2000 Inductees
• 1999 Inductees

Trivia History

KVSC Trivia Marathon History

Trivia Weekend debuted in 1980 with 25 teams participating. The contest was organized by KVSC and RHA (Residents Hall Association) at St. Cloud State University and mostly student teams competed. The idea behind trivia weekend was to alleviate Minnesota's imfamous cabin fever. As the weekend grew, so did it's organizational sophistication. Eventually KVSC became the sole organizer of the contest and more community teams began playing.

During its infancy, Trivia Weekend required a 14 member staff. KVSC installed four telephone lines and hand tabulated all scoring. Twenty one years later, fifteen trivia hotlines are used and four administrative telephone lines (we've gone cellular), and computer scoring is utilized.

Time will only tell how the contest evolves now that KVSC broadcasts its programming live on the internet. In 2000, three teams competed via the Internet. Internet based teams follow the same rules a local teams and must call the hot-line to guess their answers. KVSC intends to keep the contest based on phone interaction, not electronic messaging.

In 2007, Trivia Weekend was featured on Kare 11's Land of 10,000 Stories news segment. Watch the video here.

KVSC has more than 150 volunteers working toward the success of our annual station event. Dozens of St. Cloud Businesses donate food and dollars to ensure the success of trivia weekend. We wish your team the best of luck this year!

Check out Trivia 2013: A Space Oddity Poster here! (pdf)

Previous Themes

Masters of Trivia

Year	Theme	Winner	# of Teams
2013	Trivia 2013: A Space Oddity	Stefan's Dream XIV: Stefan's Re-Entry	62
2012	33 1/3: Trivia Long Play	Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women	67
2011	Superheroes of Trivia	Mustache	71
2010	Trivia in 3D	Stefan's Dream XI: VENI, VENI, VENI	67
2009	XXX TRIVIA: 30 Years of Trivia Lovin'	Stefan's Dream X: Stefan Always Comes 2nd	76
2008	Vote Trivia '08	Pull-Start Diesel	78
2007	Trivia: Around the World in 50 Hours	Pull-Start Diesel	80
2006	Trivia on the High Seas	Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women	72
2005	TSI: Trivia Scene Investigation	Stefan's Dreamsicle	72
2004	Trivia Hotdish	Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women	71
2003	Viva Las Trivia	The Mime Radio Conspiracy	75
2002	Trivia Tube	Sigma Phi Nothing	69
2001	Night of the Living Trivia	Animal House	69
2000	T2KAOS	Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women	58
1999	Trivia Renaissance	Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women	50
1998	Trivia Sells Out	Those Meddlin' Kids	57
1997	The T-Files	Animal House	48
1996	Trivia Fair	GDI	41
1995	Dial T for Trivia	GDI	41
1994	Hotel Trivia	11 Who Care 2 Bonzai 4 Passolt	34
1993	Trivia Trek	Sigma Phi Nothing	34
1992	Magical Trivia Tour	GDI	30
1991	Triviaville	GDI	32
1990	Trivia Attack	GDI	28
1989	Trivia Blizzard	Animal House	25
1988	Mission: Trivia	Ultra Voilet Catastrophe	25
1987	Trivia Getaway	Know Nothings	20
1986	Trivia Zone	Animal House	21
1985	In Pursuit of Trivia	Gang of Four	n/a
1984	Trivia Olympics	Phil + the Blanks	n/a
1983	E.T. Trivia (Extraterrestrial Trivia)	Squaw Chasers	42
1982	Trivia Weekend	Phil + the Blanks	33
1981	"Trivia Contest"	Shoemaker Victory	26
1980	"Trivia Contest"	6th Floor Stearns Playboys	50

KVSC Trivia Hall of Fame

2013 Inductees

Team: D.O.A. Hole

KVSC Staff: Alex Hartman Technical Staff who goes above and beyond his job requirements every year

Bo Diddley's Pub & Deli -- Key Sponsor and year-round supporters of KVSC

 

2012 Inductees

Team: Pirates of the Cranium, blended brainpower of 15+ years

Volunteer: Technoman (Dan Dillman) Veteran talent of the phone bank and kind soul to newbies

Writer: Tim MacDonald, he may be imported, but he's a fine trivia vintage.

2011 Inductees

Team: A Few Screws Loose--Calmly Championing Trivialities

Volunter:Princess Buttercup--(Melissa Fiedler) Undisputaple Hero of Trivia Support Team

Red Carpet Nightclub--Key Sponsor and Official Revelers of Trivia

2009 Inductees

Team ET--Naughty But Nice Team

Chuck Wiser "Gypsy McGreevy"--Inspiring Spirit of Trivia

2008 Inductees

Team Voodoo Dolls--Most Bewitching Team

Emy Richardson--Resolute Resource from the East…

2007 Inductees

No Static At All--Most Receptive Team

Cari Ness--Noble Princess of Trivia Weekend

Ricky "Wayne" Bergerson--KVSC’s very own folkie…

Sawatdee Thai Restaurant in St. Cloud

Providing delectable volunteer sustenance for more than 15 years.

2006 Inductees

Mississippi Tim Squillace, KVSC’s very own…

KVSC’s very own Mississippi Tim Squillace has been Workin’ His Mojo Magic for Trivia nearly 20 years! Mississippi Tim has spent many a year behind the microphone at KVSC sharing his love of music with us. Each of the last two decades Tim has hosted a Trivia radio show as well—even when the programming department schedules his trivia show at 4 a-m.

You may know Tim as the former long-time host of the Whole Lotta Blues program. Currently Mississippi Tim hosts the Root Cellar program every Sunday (a newer show he developed). This show features Americana/Alternative Country, and Roots music.

Aside from his radio show, and wealth of musician/artist knowledge, Tim has an artistic side that includes assisting the Shake A Hamster band (in-house trivia band) with lyrics to their parody songs and writing the song “Willie” which was recorded by the local band Collective Unconscious.

The trivia writers honor him as a walking fountain of music knowledge and offer to throw in the towel if Mississippi Tim ever decided to write trivia questions.

Gary “The Z-Man”Zimmermann

I like to call Gary Zimmermann the hardest workin’ man in cable access. I don’t think this statement is hyperbole either. He may also be a big self-promoter, but his intentions are sincere…all in the name of sharing community news and information. Gary has featured KVSC’s trivia weekend as a spotlight topic on his cable access show for nearly 15 years. He has developed a devoted following to the Gary Zimmermann show. Gary takes his job as a television host and producer very seriously.

However, Z-Man cuts loose every trivia weekend. You can find him co-hosting segments at UTVS-Television. His “Love Line” late night/early morning live advice show on UTVS is now legendary… His advice to “make her pot roast” says enough. Gary is also a voice of the KVSC challenge line and local celeb. Paparazzi are known to stalk him at various Central Minnesota grocery stores and dining establishments. We’re proud to welcome the Z-Man to KVSC’s Trivia Hall of Fame.

Trouble Among the Cheerleaders—Perkiest Team

We gleefully welcome Trouble Among the Cheerleaders (TAC) as our 2006 Trivia Hall of Fame Inductees. They’ve worked hard, earned their induction, one cheer at a time. Plus, we love the cheerleader costumes worn every year at the awards ceremony. Here’s a bit of TAC’s sordid history, from team captain Jeffrey Pederson.

We started out as team Treatment Bound in 1995 during Dial T for Trivia. We have played both from a closet sized apartment here in Cloud, as well as numerous attempts from the Minneapolis area. One Cities try yielded us 10th place, our crowning glory. We once managed to plug a toilet in an apartment and flood the basement of the law offices below us, resulting in me volunteering my time to move files all day Saturday. The worst was that we had to go to Herberger's in order to relieve ourselves all weekend.

One year we lost our long distance service while we were in Minneapolis and had to dial 10-10-220 all weekend. This was of course in the years before widespread cell phone usage. We also lost the signal every time a jet would fly overhead (no online streaming then). We have had to many fun, and more than likely typical, adventures during trivia weekend. We always look forward to the contest, and I do not think any of us could survive without it. That empty feeling after Trivia Weekend, it pains me to think about it.

Here is a list of the tried and true cheerleaders who deserve three “rah, rah, rahs!”:

• Jeffrey Pederson - Team Captain
• Andrea Pederson - The wife of the captain who has an excuse for his behavior
• Justin France - The king of online "research"
• Amy France - She who is proud of the researcher
• Amy Wolbeck - the notebook nazi and undisputed point disputer
• Andrew Pederson - brother, and resident I'll catch up on sleep for the rest of you
• Astra Seitz - She makes really good food
• John Seitz - The guy who keeps our morale up
• Bob Huebner - He got the big question in only his second or third appearance
• Ryland Nelson and Dane Smith - The “we'll cover Saturday night guys”
• Sam Bahe - The only rude phone person on our team, but a whiz at music
• Chris Seiving - our phone a friend from Indiana

2005 Inductees

Divine Duo of the Trivia Realm: Chad and Nova Schmitz

Chad and Nova Schmitz became part of the KVSC trivia family in the mid-1990’s…and they’ve grown the station’s trivia family by recruiting dozens of family members and friends to volunteer each February. Chad and Nova are two of the question writers, who also happen to not so secretly adore Rick Springfield. They played on teams for several years before joining the dark side, errr….becoming trivia writers. They brought with them a new level of preparedness, a process for web-proofing questions, developing the math run-around question, a better point setting system, and easy going attitudes. Chad and Nova are a trivia treat every February, for KVSC, teams, and volunteers alike.

Most Innovative Trivia Telecasters: UTVS

UTVS has been broadcasting KVSC’s trivia weekend on and off since the mid-1980’s. The station is completely run by students, from camera operators to talent to station management. They have grown up and matured LIVE on the air. UTVS’s broadcast coverage of trivia weekend has expanded from minimal score updates and very little live broadcasts to building sophisticated sets to match the trivia theme, pre-production promotional work, amazing graphics, schedule coordination, and of course, the annual Love Line segment. Can you imagine the enormous challenge of programming 50 hours of live television? All of us at KVSC salute our media comrades for innovative and creative programming. We love UTVS for their enthusiasm and support, along with the occasional rivalry challenges (KVSC rules in office chair races, they dominate in ping-pong).

Tenacious Trivia Team: Digital Dungeon Dwellers

Digital Dungeon Dwellers began playing KVSC’s trivia contest during the Trivia Attack year of 1990. That makes 2005 their 16 year competing in the marathon trivia contest. Team members on Digital Dungeon Dwellers are known to have a ritual or two up their collective sleeves. They recognize teammates who are responsible for getting a large point question by allowing them to wear an Army type helmet with KVSC stickers on it …this helmet has been dubbed the “Brain Bucket.” In 2002, the team temporarily split for geographical reasons…therefore two Brain Bucket helmets were created. The team now competes from Vernon Center, Minnesota. In 2005 they competed under the team name 2X/X-6 = 12/X-6 Solve for X. We have put them in the Trivia Hall of Fame as Digital Dungeon Dwellers. Let’s see which name they use in 2006

2004 Inductees

Most Creative Announcer: Andy Valenty On the Air as John Drake

John Drake’s voice has been part of Your Sound Alternative for 25 years. He has held many director positions at KVSC while a student, including programming, music, and training director. He is currently a valuable member of KVSC’s Community Advisory Board, and of course, host of TWO excellent weekly programs. John Drake is the voice and creative energy behind The Area program. It’s broadcast every Monday from 7-10pm focusing on St. Cloud and Minnesota artists. He is also the psychedelically influenced, long-standing host of the Classic Rock show from 10pm to 2am every Sunday night.

John Drake (Andy Valenty) has been part of Trivia weekend for 22 years. In fact, he was the first to host Trivia Weekend Live on the air. You can call him the Lou Gerig of Trivia Weekend in our opinion. He approaches each trivia weekend with creativity and inspiration—both in his music choices and ‘costume design’ to match the theme. Little known fact: he is the official scrivener of the Minnesota Masters of Trivia Traveling Trophy and creator of several trivia posters of days of yore.

The Good Guys Win

The Goat Posse--Fareed Guyot (Captain F), Eric Wildgrube, Brett Hudoba, Chad Eggen & their mascot Ewe2 For nearly a decade, this group of fellas has made a pilgrimage and commitment to what is the war room of trivia weekend—the phone bank. Fareed and his posse of fellow SCSU alums have effectively streamlined the start-up of trivia weekend. They are the phone supervisors (trainers) and staffers for the inaugural phone shift of every trivia weekend. They set the tone: fun, creative, and efficient! Aside from taking the hundreds of thousands of calls from trivia teams, the Goat Posse has been a creative force behind trivia. Fareed and Eric produce the annual pre-trivia “pump you up” piece…broadcast about 5-10 minutes prior to question number one, hour one. The entire crew also heads to the cramped production studio each weekend to crank out a wide assortment of challenges…you may know some of their work: “I Can”, “Journey to Hour 25”, and “Wedding Stink.”

Above all, these guys are the good guys… they like to dance and party with Hamsters…ahem, and goats…’til Monday.

Time Tested & Proven Team: Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women

Team captain Tim Lyon has a bit of experience with KVSC’s trivia weekend. While at SCSU he was KVSC’s News Director and an on-air host…and many moons later, he formed his trivia team. In 1990 the team formed in a small apartment with books all over the floor. The team had no fear of calling anywhere; such as the Vatican, Scotland Yard, and a McDonald’s in Russia. In 1991, they adopted their current name based on a reference book that chronicles human oddities. Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women have worked hard, and it’s paid off…they’re 3-peat champions of Trivia Weekend, in 1999, 2000, and 2004. Look out GDI Dynasty.

Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women are a close knit group of friends, from all parts of the country. The team is known to be kind to the phone bank volunteers, point dispute workers and the question writers. They appreciate trivia weekend and everything else KVSC offers the community year-round.

One Hard Workin’ Woman: Jo McMullen

Okay, I write these BIOs, so this will be brief. I’ve had a passion for KVSC and radio for a long-time. I listened to 88.1FM while I attended Tech High School in St. Cloud. I really liked the variety of different music. I won a prize on the air during Kirby Puckett day circa 1987 (I knew all his minor league teams, yup; I was one of those kinds of kids). My first album purchase was inspired by KVSC…Shriekback’s “Oil and Gold.” I volunteered and then worked at KVSC while attending SCSU. My best experiences and deepest friendships were made with fellow KV’ers. I was named the Station Manager in 1992 and I’ve loved the job ever since.

I often refer to Trivia Weekend as “The Beast” (at least every December-mid-February ). It’s become an amazing part of Your Sound Alternative…and we’re so thankful that teams, volunteers, the alumni, and friends get together in the heart of winter to have a little fun.

2003 Inductees

The Quintessential Team

Panties Waaay Too Tight represents the essence of a team that competes in KVSC's trivia shindig. They've been playing for 17 years (since 1986). Panties can be called a 'unique' team. As question writer Peter Hammerlink points out, "Many things go into their bodies, but yet many answers still come out. Eventually we will induct their livers into the Hall of Fame." Panties Waaay Too Tight is a force of many - old, young, big and small, but they come together and usually finish in the top 10 every year.

Superhero of the Phone Bank

Chad Lian has been a volunteer for KVSC's trivia weekend for 13 years. He started as a work-study student (back when there was only 10 lines on the trivia answer hotline) and continues to commute from the Twin Cities to lend a hand. He is known on the phones as "The Other One" and often supervises the phone bank and takes team calls. He may be a bit quiet, but he rules with an even hand! Chad also helps out on the air and expresses his rock and roll lifestyle.

Outstanding Sponsor Award

Locally owned and operated Bernick's Pepsi has been a trivia weekend sponsor for more than 15 years. Bernick's has provided a legal stimulant for the volunteers at trivia central---caffeine. Bernick's has also financially supported the success of trivia weekend. In recent years, our supply of Bernick's beverages has run the gamut from healthy juices to the sugar filled Tahitian Treat. Of course, Dew runs through most of the volunteers' veins for the 50 hour marathon.

2002 Inductees

Trivia Writer Goddess

Marie Richardson has 20 years of trivia weekend to her credit. She has played on a team, volunteered with KVSC, and for more than a decade has been a chief question writer. Marie is credited with (aside from causing agony for trivia players) streamlining the points system, making point & question disputes far more user-friendly, adding variety to the type of questions, and keeps the tradition of book-based questions ongoing. She's also known for wearing unique animal slippers all weekend long.

Team Pigs R' Us: Legal Enforcers of Trivia

Under the helm of Bruce Petersen, Pigs R' Us is a team that has a long history with KVSC's trivia contest. The Pigs R' Us moniker began in 1993, but the team had a few different names in those early years, relating to local statutes and alleged "criminal" activity. As team captain, Bruce is known to award certain team members with awards and welcomes players to his team. Pigs R' Us also is the official illegal activity monitoring agency of KVSC's trivia weekend...with a full crime report issued at every awards ceremony.

He Scores Every Year!

Jim Gray is a former KVSC Program Director. He started at SCSU in 94, and led the programming helm for two years. After his graduation, he and his wife moved to North Dakota (we're not sure why), but once a year they make their pilgrimage to Central Minnesota. Jim and Julia haul down a network of computers along with secretly guarded and coded software that allows them and the scads of scoring volunteers to keep track of nearly 70 trivia teams and thousands of trivia points. Jim is also an on air host over trivia weekend and helps with the point dispute line nearly every hour of the 50 hour contest. Jim is most proud to say that he gets to score for 50 hours straight!

2001 Inductees

Outstanding Team

Sigma Phi Nothing has been playing KVSC's trivia weekend since 1986. Approximately 30 St. Cloud teammates get together in this multi-generational team. Sigma Phi won trivia weekend in 1993 (Trivia Trek) and have been a contending team each year. Way to go!

Historical Trivia Individual

The venerable Al Neff has been part of KVSC since 1981, the year after trivia weekend began. Al's birthday often falls on trivia weekend, and he celebrates it annually with the KVSC family. Al Neff is known for taking on team challenges including 1,000 push ups (documented) one year over the 50 hours (he nearly died!) and eating the infamous Bravo Burrito of fire live on UTVS.

Question Guru

Gary Burt first played on a trivia team in the early years, known as "Bonzo Beans" He later teamed up with Tom Raich to become a trivia writer for KVSC. If you challenged a question, you may have talked to Mr. B, that's Gary Burt. He was a chief question writer for more than 10 years. A guru is defined as "an intellectual guide in matters of fundamental concer" --- ie. trivia! I recall Gary considering a trivia question that no team could answer as "the perfect trivia question".

2000 Inductees

Question Writer

Tom Raich was a trivia question writer for 10 years from 1984-1993. He worked with both Mac and Gary Burt. Tom now listens to KVSC via the Internet while at work at Yale (he moved on from the Harvard gig!) Congratulations and thanks Tom. (Tom also played trivia weekend in 1982 and '83 with "Phil and The Blanks").

Trivia Team

Animal House has competed in 18 of the 21 years of trivia weekend... and note they've never finished lower than 7th place. Animal House won trivia weekend in 1986, 1989, and 1997. They took 2nd place in 2000. Animal House is team based out of Sartell, Minnesota and is hosted annually by the Hurd family.

Trivia Volunteer(s)

The Shake A Hamster Band was named into the Hall of Fame in 2000. KVSC's in-house band, who perform exclusively for trivia weekend has astounded all of us with their talent, sense of humor, and trivia spirit. The band has existed for about a decade, and include the Power of Sauer Kraut horn section. "Trivia Gold" was released on cassette in 1996, and "Hamsterdam" was released in 1998. Nature (Nathan Nesje), Muggsy (Muggsy Lauer), Tedd Chopp, Jeff Engholm, Emily Sebasky, George Maurer and plenty of others continue to delight the KVSC staff and trivia fans alike!

1999 Inagural Inductees

Eminent Trivia Founder

Mac McMenamin

Outstanding Trivia Team

GDI

In 1982, a SCSU journalism professor gathered a dozen Chronicle writers, lawyers and friends for a poker game in Sauk Rapids that morphed into a trivia team named GDI. From 1984 until its fifth and final trivia cup in 1996, GDI served variously as the contest’s hard-luck darling (losing twice on the big-point questions) and as a NY Yankees (dominant winner) clone. Although GDI was one of the first teams to first embrace then eschew the cyber highway, a two-year run as GDI-Luddite (no stinking Internet) convinced hard-core GDI faithful that their heyday as a smart, resourceful and creative gang reuniting each February for a think-and-drink winter picnic was over. Like some of the marvelous competitors and winners that have loosely followed the GDI model, GDI was, and still is, a ragtag group of 100 people ranging in age from 4 to 80, in a dozen states, representing eclectic professions and SCSU majors. GDI veterans still can be found playing on existing teams or experiencing post-trivia stress syndrome. GDI is honored to have been the charter team named to the KVSC Trivia Hall of Fame in 1999.

Outstanding Trivia Volunteer

Charlie Chirhart [aka Darth Raider]

Much thanks to team GDI for donating a permanent plaque to KVSC for the inductees. The plaque will be housed at the KVSC studios and allows for additional inductees to be listed annually.