The North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Honda All-Star Challenge (HCASC) team has qualified to participate in the 37th Annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge National Championship Tournament (NCT) to compete for a $100,000 institutional grant. The tournament will take place on April 11-14, 2026 in Torrance, California.
NCCU participated in the HCASC National Qualifying Tournament (NQT) hosted by the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) on February 21st. NCCU’s high scoring average of 715 points per game resulted in a nationally second-best total that led to an invitation to the NCT. The varsity team completed round-robin play with a 2-2 record, facing strong competition from Cheyney University, York College, Howard University and the tournament host, UDC.
NCCU’s varsity team includes four students selected for their strong academic performance and competitive drive:
- Ronni Butts (captain) from Charlotte, a junior majoring in political science,
- Chantel Chestnutt from Goldsboro, a junior majoring in history and political science,
- Alena Dockery from Youngsville, a junior majoring in political science,
- Jadzia “Z” Kowalczyk from Garner, a freshman majoring in art.
“Our team has put in hours of work to best represent NCCU and I’m confident that we will perform well,” said Butts.
In addition to its varsity squad, NCCU fields a roster of 12 students who support training efforts and contribute to the program’s competitive depth. Four of those students also competed at the qualifying tournament as the junior varsity team: Isiah Baptist, Genayah King, Amiya Neal and Iman Shakur. The remaining club members are J. Micah Johnson, Ember Jones, Marissa Jones, Millai McGee, Christian Nettles and Vashti Pearson.
Clayton C. Mack, Jr. coaches the team, with assistance from faculty advisor Janice S. Dargan, Ph.D., and assistant coach Teah R. Smith.
"They have the intellect, competitive spirit, and discipline to go very far in this tournament,” said Mack, “I fully expect them to finish among the best in the entire country.”
Founded in 1989, the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge is the oldest academic competition between students at America’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Honda has sponsored the program since its inception.The fast-paced buzzer competition highlights students’ academic prowess and ability to answer questions about history, science, literature, religion, the arts, and pop culture. More than 125,000 students have participated in the competition, where schools vie to qualify for the annual National Championship Tournament. NCCU’s team has qualified for 33 previous tournaments.
For more information on the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, please visit https://www.hcasc.com. Follow the team on Instagram at @NccuHCASC.
About North Carolina Central University
Top-ranked programs from the sciences to the arts, and an award-winning online education platform make North Carolina Central University (NCCU) ‘Where Purpose Takes Flight.’ At NCCU, innovation and academic excellence are central to transforming lives and preparing students to embrace the bold and seize opportunities for global success. Founded in 1910 and consistently ranked among the top historically Black colleges and universities, NCCU is home to two pioneering research institutes addressing critical health challenges and offering students hands-on experience with world-class faculty, staff and industry professionals. The university features standout programs and initiatives, including the first bachelor’s degree in jazz studies within the UNC System, the visual impairment training program in the School of Education, and the unique Technology Law and Policy Center at the School of Law. Visit www.nccu.edu.