UWSP’s 90FM prepares for return of the world’s largest trivia contest
By Brandi Makuski
The world’s largest trivia contest returns in April to celebrate its 52nd year baffling Stevens Point—and despite this year’s logo, this year’s festivities are back in full color.
Returning to fully in-person for the first time since 2019, the world’s largest trivia contest will be held April 8-10 by the UW-Stevens Point radio station, 90FM WWSP.
“Trivia 52: The Stacked Deck” will bring together hundreds of teams from around the world, testing their knowledge, observational skills, and reflexes during the 54 hours of trivia. The contest kicks off with the Trivia parade around the UW-Stevens Point campus at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 8. Questions begin at 6 p.m. that day and run until midnight Sunday, April 10.
“It’s great to see Trivia back in action,” said 90FM Station Manager Sarah Johnsrud, of Sun Prairie, a senior history major. “We can’t wait to bring it back to Central Wisconsin and the world.”
Jim “The Oz” Olivia, the coordinator of the contest, came up with this year’s theme.
“Players are forever saying the deck is stacked against them,” he said.
The radio station broadcasts eight trivia questions per hour, and teams have the length of two songs to call with the correct answer in order to earn points. Two running questions send players to the community to find the answer plus music montage questions and trivia stone, scavenger-hunt-like questions highlight the weekend. The top teams win trophies and bragging rights.
Teams can register in person for the contest at 90FM headquarters, 1101 Reserve St., Stevens Point, on April 4-7 between 3-7 p.m. and on April 8 from noon-6 p.m. Out-of-town players will find forms and information at www.90fmtrivia.org/online.html, with a deadline of March 28.
The Trivia movie will be offered Friday and Saturday, April 1 and 2, at 9:30 p.m. at Rogers Cinema in Stevens Point. The movie is for all ages and costs $3 at the door.
Students who work at 90FM have been preparing for the contest and will work around the clock that weekend along with a large group of community volunteers.
“We are anticipating a weekend full of chaos and great memories, as are the teams that help keep the world’s largest trivia contest running every year,” said Johnsrud.
The trivia contest is the station’s largest fundraiser. For the Trivia 51 newsletter, registration and merchandise, visit www.90fmtrivia.org.