SPRINGFIELD, MA (January 6, 2022) “As Schools Match Wits” (ASMW), a joint production of New England Public Media and Westfield State University, will return for its 61st season on NEPM TV on Saturday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. Last year’s 60th season was revamped with new coronavirus safety guidelines and carefully designed protocols, which have remained in place.
“ASMW has been a constant in the region for over 60 years now, and its place as a venue for academic competition is just as vital and important now as it was back in 1961 when Westfield State alum Leonard Collamore created it,” NEPM ASMW Executive Producer Tony Dunne said. “While we’ve brought it up to 21st century standards, at its heart, it’s still the same timeless pursuit of knowledge that has driven the show forward all of these years. With a following that now spans generations, it truly is a western New England institutional treasure unlike any other.”
HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPETITION
Hosted by Beth Ward, 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 61, viewers will be able to watch at 7 p.m. on Saturday evenings starting Jan. 8. 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. Ward is looking forward to the return of the show. “I'm thrilled to come back for ASMW’s 61st season! What makes being part of this iconic program so special are the students that constantly amaze us with their knowledge, drive and competitive spirit. Once again the pandemic has provided some challenges, but our teams and crew have embraced continued safety measures to bring, what we feel is one of the most exciting seasons to date!”
For Season 61, the preliminary round of matches will premiere on NEPM TV as follows:
Jan. 8: Windsor High vs. Pope Francis
Jan. 15: Amherst Regional vs. Lenox Memorial
Jan. 22: West Springfield High vs. Monson High
Jan. 29: Ludlow High vs. Hampshire Regional
Feb. 5: Hall High School vs. Chicopee High
Feb. 12: Frontier Regional vs. Longmeadow High
Feb. 19: East Granby High vs. MacDuffie School
Feb. 26: Holyoke High vs. Deerfield Academy
March 5: Academy at Charlemont vs. Lee High
March 12: East Longmeadow High vs. Smith Academy
March 19: Belchertown High vs. Pioneer Valley Regional
March 26: Suffield Academy vs. Ware High
April 2: Wahconah Regional vs. Tantasqua Regional
April 9: Southwick Regional vs. Chicopee Comprehensive
April 16: Westfield High vs. Mount Greylock
April 23: Rockville High vs. Easthampton High
April 30: Minnechaug High vs. Pittsfield High
May 7: Agawam High vs. Gateway Regional
PLEASE NOTE: SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
All matches are available for online viewing at video.nepm.org shortly after their TV broadcast.
ABOUT NEW ENGLAND PUBLIC MEDIA
New England Public Media is a community-supported, independent non-profit organization based in Springfield, Massachusetts and affiliated with the WGBH Educational Foundation and UMass Amherst. 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. Its four digital TV channels, and two radio networks present news, jazz and classical music, documentaries, talk, drama, plus cultural and educational programming. NEPM provides audiences in western New England and beyond 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.
For more information, visit nepm.org or follow NEPM on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
MEDIA CONTACT
Vanessa Cerillo
Senior Director, Marketing, Communications and Events
New England Public Media
413-735-6605
vanessa_cerillo@nepm.org