Delaware's history in quiz bowl events began on April 28th, 1963,
with the 164th game of the popular television show "GE College Bowl".
Delaware's opponent that night, Louisville, had won two straight games,
beating Kenyon College (the defending champion), and the University of Idaho
by more than one hundred points each. Delaware actually fared worse, losing to the
Cardinals by the score of 370-155.
The switch in College Bowl formats from a televised single-elimination
match to regional play was considerably kinder to Delaware.
The Fightin' Blue Hens, despite not playing on the circuit of traditional college
teams, nevertheless performed admirably. Delaware finished fourth in its region in
1985, and has gone on to finish in the top four nine of the past ten years,
including winning the 2001 CBI Region III Championship.
The formation of the Academic Competition Club (ACC) at
UD in the spring of 1995 improved the team even more -
giving them the practice that they needed to compete
with the nation's elite. Since its formation,
the ACC has hosted various collegiate, high school,
and intramural tournaments. However, it may be that the
best is yet to come for Delaware. Strong finishes in recent
years may mean that this is a team ready to break out and become
a major force in its region. Go Hens.