There are many athletic competitions, but few academic-based competitions. UMM's Academic Challenge gives students interested in academics a competition aimed toward their talent. "I think it is an appropriate and exciting opportunity for UMM to sponsor this chance for academically talented high school students from our region to show their scholarship and intellectual agility," says former UMM Chancellor Sam Schuman.
Each team is comprised of four to six high school students who are usually representatives from their high school knowledge bowl teams. The tournament is run in a single elimination fashion. Academic Challenge is broadcast on KWCM, Pioneer Public Television, of Appleton, Minnesota on Sundays each spring until the Mid May.
The victor of the UMM Academic Challenge receives an all expense paid trip to Washington D.C. in June for the National Academic Challenge Competition. Morris is the 2006 defending champion while the runner up trophy went to Marshall High School.
