On November 26, the Union held try outs for students hoping to participate in next year’s University Challenge. But only three people turned up.
The union announced the event on November 18 on their website and social media channels. Brig released a piece on the event on November 23. But there were no posters on campus and the event took place on the cusp of deadline season.
The university hasn’t had a team since the 1970s. That’s not including 2013’s Christmas special, in which participated Paul Lewis, now BBC 4 presenter.
At the try out, hopefuls were asked 30 questions in the show’s style by Union President, Justine Pédussel and Ellie Hammond, VP Communities.
What people did the ethnographic study, the Florentine Codex, research? In 2023, which African country dropped French as its main language?
What style of cooking originating from Taino people and freed slaves has been described by cultural critics as a “global Jamaican brand?” What Greek prefix is used in cancers of the bone, some species of small fish and a stone coffin? Or perhaps quantum entanglement’s more your thing? How about Shakespeare?
Five people make a team, and it’s advised that each member has their own speciality. Considering the nature of the questions, this would have been of some reassurance if only five people were in attendance.
One masters student said that they have “always wanted to be on University Challenge”. Another 4th year, hoping their pub quiz experience at Jessica O’Marleys might come in handy, insisted that it was simply “for a laugh”. All agreed that it was a good experience.
If Stirling receive an invitation again next year, try outs will take place at around the same time. Doubtless, the union will be hoping for more interest.
Featured image credit: BBC
