Tennessee Scholars Bowl airs new season
A new season begins for Tennessee Scholars Bowl, which started airing Monday, Jan. 12.
An exciting academic tournament showcasing students from 44 high schools across East Tennessee and Southeast Kentucky, Tennessee Scholars’ Bowl began broadcasting its 42nd season, according to Frank Murphy, the host and head-writer of Tennessee Scholars’ Bowl. New episodes will air weekdays at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time on East Tennessee PBS through March 19.
“Tennessee Scholars’ Bowl features students from public, private, parochial and home schools in Anderson, Blount, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, McMinn, Monroe, Roane, Scott, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington counties in Tennessee, as well as Whitley County in Kentucky,” Murphy said.
He explained teams of four students answer questions in literature, language, math, science, art, geography, music, sports, history, religion and other subjects. “Each game is a single-elimination match,” Murphy said. “Winning teams advance through the bracket until the final two compete for the Frank Miller Memorial Trophy and a cash stipend in the championship game.”
The “Threshold of Thirty-Two” will begin airing on Feb. 5, followed by the “Smart Sixteen” on Feb. 27, the “Educated Eight” on March 11 and the “Philosophical Four” on March 17.
The championship game will air on March 19 with an encore presentation on March 20.
Murphy returns for his 10th season on the show.
The director and producer is Chris Smith. The executive producer is Ernie Roberts, and the president and CEO of East Tennessee PBS is Vickie Lawson.
Recent Tennessee Scholars’ Bowl champions include Webb School of Knoxville (2025), Hardin Valley Academy (2024), J. Frank White Academy (2023), Maryville High School (2022), Hardin Valley Academy (2021), Cedar Springs Homeschool (2020 and 2019), Webb School of Knoxville (2018)
and Farragut High School (2017).
