NEPM and Westfield State University Announce ‘As Schools Match Wits’ Historic 60th Season
Local Schools to Compete starting Saturday, April 10
SPRINGFIELD, MA (March 26, 2021) As Schools Match Wits (ASMW), a joint production of New England Public Media and Westfield State University will return for its 60th season on NEPM TV on Saturday, April 10 at 7 p.m. Last year’s 59th season was cut short by COVID-19, but with new safety guidelines and carefully designed protocols, the 60th season will proceed with the participation of local high schools.
NEPM ASMW Executive Producer Tony Dunne recently noted, “We’re tremendously excited to be going ahead with the 60th season of As Schools Match Wits. As the COVID-19 pandemic continued, there were times when we wondered if we were going to be able to make it happen. But, with the latest safety guidelines — both here in the region and throughout the nation — and thanks to the technical wizardry of our partners at Westfield State University, we’re thrilled to be able to continue this western New England tradition!”
HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPETITION
ASMW pits teams of western New England high schoolers against each other in a fun, but competitive game of academic performance. The competition is open to both public and private high schools throughout western New England.
Schools go head-to-head in qualifying matches to see which team can earn the greatest number of points. For season 60, viewers will be able to watch two back-to-back competitions at 7 p.m. and 7:30 pm. on Saturday evenings starting April 10. The four highest-scoring teams of the season will compete in playoff matches to determine the season’s champion, which will then be awarded the coveted Collamore Cup, named for the show’s creator.
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
As Schools Match Wits is hosted by Beth Ward, who was glad to hear about the green light for Season 60. “I’m so incredibly grateful that we are able to get this season started! Of course, with COVID-19 safety protocols, things will be a bit different. I’ll be in the ASMW studio solo, the teams will be in separate rooms just outside the studio, and we’ll all be joined seamlessly by the magic of television. We have worked so hard to make this historic 60th season one to remember! I’m so proud to be a part of such a wonderful ASMW family. It’s going to be a fantastic season and I can’t wait to get started!”
Westfield State ASMW Executive Producer Mark St. Jean agrees. “I’m really happy that we are able to get As Schools Match Wits back into production at Westfield State University for this historic, 60th season for the show. It's not only great to have the area high school teams competing again, but it’s great to have our Westfield State student production crew back. Most of them are seniors and they are really pumped to be working on this show again after all those months of having only online meetings for classes. And I am very grateful to the Westfield State Administration for helping us get back on the air with a safe social-distancing plan in place."
For Season 60, the preliminary round of matches will premiere on NEPM TV as follows:
April 10:
East Longmeadow Vs. Holyoke High at 7 p.m.
Lee High Vs. Ware High at 7:30 p.m.
April 17:
Agawam High Vs. Chicopee Comp at 7 p.m.
Hall High School Vs. Smith Academy at 7:30 p.m.
April 24:
Windsor High Vs. Belchertown High at 7 p.m.
Minnechaug High Vs. Amherst Regional at 7:30 p.m.
May 1:
Frontier Regional Vs. Pope Francis Prep at 7 p.m.
Lenox Memorial Vs. Hampshire Regional at 7:30 p.m.
May 8:
East Granby Vs. Wahconah Regional at 7 p.m.
Mount Greylock Vs. Pioneer Valley at 7:30 p.m.
May 15:
Semifinal Match 1 at 7 p.m.
Semifinal Match 2 at 7:30 p.m.
May 22:
Championship Match at 7 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE: SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
All matches are available for online viewing at video.nepm.org shortly after their TV broadcast.
ABOUT WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1839 by Horace Mann, Westfield State was the first co-educational college in America to offer an education without barrier to race, creed, or economic status. Westfield State University is dedicated to equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to succeed. This season marks the 15th year that As Schools Match Wits has been produced on our campus in Westfield State’s Department of Communication.
ABOUT NEW ENGLAND PUBLIC MEDIA
New England Public Media is a community-supported, independent non-profit organization based in Springfield, MA.Through a deep commitment to independent local journalism, trusted educational content, inspired cultural offerings, and civic engagement, NEPM endeavors to share new voices and inspire new conversations. It provides audiences with a broad array of local and national programs across all media—TV, radio, online, and mobile, including PBS and NPR programs as well as locally produced series, podcasts and specials. Its four digital TV channels, and two radio networks present news, jazz and classical music, documentaries, talk, drama, plus cultural and educational programming.
NEPM brings quality public television programs to audiences across western New England, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs, to hear diverse viewpoints, and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS KIDS helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. NEPM's locally produced television programming includes the magazine-format public affairs show Connecting Point, the bilingual series Presencia, and the academic quiz show As Schools Match Wits. NEPM is available over the air on digital channel 57-1 and on cable throughout western Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut and can be seen in high definition in western Massachusetts at Comcast 857, Time Warner 1221, Spectrum 782, and over the air on channel 57. Where to Watch
New England Public Media's radio presence provides an essential and trusted voice for the region through local reporting and locally-produced music programming, and by connecting the region to the world through its partnership with NPR and other national and international public media organizations. Its flagship signal, 88.5FM WFCR, and 5 repeating stations in Berkshire County, presents news, jazz, and classical music, while the six stations of the NEPM News Network provide the region with news, talk, and cultural programming 24/7.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Vanessa Cerillo
Senior Director, Marketing, Communications and Events
New England Public Media
413-735-6605
vanessa_cerillo@nepm.org