Public Television for Western New England

As Schools Match Wits

ASMW Facts & History

Broadcast History

From the Fall of 1961 (we’re not sure which month) through the Summer of 2006, ASMW was aired and produced by WWLP-TV22.

Photo from ASMW's 20th AnniversarySince January 2007, the show has been co-produced by Westfield State University and WGBY-TV57; it is taped at WSC and aired by WGBY.

Hosts

Dr. Phil Shepardson—1961-1991
John Baran—1991-2006
Chris Rohmann—2007-2008
Beth Ward—2008-present

Question Writers

Leonard J. Collamore—1961-1983
Dr. Phil Shepardson—1983-1991
Dr. Todd A. Rovelli—1991-1997; 1998-2008
Mitchell Cupperman—1997-1998
WSC Faculty - 2008-present

Format

Created by Leonard J. Collamore in 1961, ASMW is a fast-paced academic competition featuring some of our area’s brightest high school students.  Categories for the program have included literature, history, current events, sports, entertainment, art, music, science, and general knowledge.  A school must answer a qualifying question (which is worth no points) correctly to earn the right to answer questions and score points in the category.  If the team fails to answer a qualifying question correctly, the opposing team gets a chance to steal the category.  If the opposing team answers correctly, we say that they have "capitalized."  The school with the higher score at the end of the match wins.  In recent years, Lightning Rounds (rapid fire questions posed to both teams in a single subject or category - teams must buzz in and answer for points; incorrect answers result in loss of points) have been added to the program.

Team on the set of ASMWPlay-off System

From 1961-1969, a school had to win four consecutive matches to qualify for the play-offs.  A champion was determined by a single-elimination tournament for the Fall season and for the Spring season.

From 1970-2006, three consecutive wins were the requirement to make the play-offs.  A single champion for the entire academic year was determined by a single-elimination tournament.

From 2007 on, it has been “All About the Points”: teams are paired off against one another in qualifying matches to see who can gain the most points and win their match; the Top 8 highest scoring teams from the whole season are then entered into the playoffs which consist of quarterfinal, semifinal and championship matches.