Two National Academic Quiz Tournament titles that were originally awarded to Harvard University in 2009 and 2011 are now going to the University of Minnesota.
NAQT unearthed evidence that Harvard team members accessed part of the quiz questions that were to be used in future competitions, according to a news release.
Andrew Hart, a University Quizbowl Team member who competed in both years said it’s unfortunate members weren’t recognized at the time.
“It’s still good to see the recognition now,” said Hart, who is currently a graduate student at the University.
NAQT not only hosts the tournaments, but it’s also the company responsible for managing the questions, which Hart said students write.
The company also has student participants create questions for high school quizzes and other quizzes they won’t be participating in.
NAQT found four Harvard University members “frequently” and improperly accessed parts of its administrative website for college competitions, according to the release.
The school is being stripped of four titles altogether — two of them going to the University — with the remaining titles going to Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Chicago.
“It’s funny because If we had just won the tournament in 2011, we never would have gotten this much attention for it,” Hart said.