From the Stevens Point Journal April 16, 2004:

Secret to Trivia success? Luck and lots of notes

By Jill Steinke
Journal staff


Each year some of the same names appear in the Trivia top 10 standings, but their secret to success depends mostly on luck.

"It takes a lot of preparation, but then there's a lot of luck involved," said John Diser, co-team leader for Yargh! The Curse of the Pearl Necklace. "I think the top 20 to 30 teams are well-prepared, but then it comes down to if what you've prepared has a lot of questions."

OVERNIGHT PARKING Overnight parking restrictions in Stevens Point will be temporarily suspended today through Sunday. Motorists are not required to call the Stevens Point Police Department for parking permission during the three-day trivia event. All other parking violations will be enforced. Overnight parking restrictions will resume as normal on Monday.

In addition to luck, Diser, 37, relies on the Internet, good books and children. Last year the team placed eighth, largely because team members' children knew a lot of answers from watching television, he said.

Yargh!, in one form or another, has been around for about 20 years.
The League of Extraordinary Beerpigs placed sixth in last year's competition but didn't have a strategy to thank for its success. Since 1985 the team has been combining forces and notes. Team leader Marv Hafenbreadl said his strategy is to just take notes.
"Don't turn it into a job," he said. "Just have fun."

His team of about 30 meets in the former location of Games People Play, 925 Main St., which has been turned into a Trivia headquarters. Reference books line the walls, and boxes of magazines and notes cover the floor.

Teammate Bill Rogers, who will be competing in his 20th Trivia contest, describes himself as a nonsense junkie, which often is useful for the Beerpigs. The team's variety of interests makes them good, he said.

Late Night With Bob Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo) placed in the top 10 in 2000, 2001 and 2002 thanks to a large database of notes. Paul Komasa, 34, a team leader, said each member contributes notes in different categories. They've gotten to the point they have so many notes that they don't know what they have.

"I think the key to success of Trivia is taking notes," he said.

Throughout the year, team members are searching rummage sales for useful books, watching TV and movies and just paying attention, Komasa said. The team has competed since 1989, and Komasa still can't explain why he prepares in the off-season and plays each year.

"Trivia is a funny thing," he said. "It's not about winning anything. It's about getting together with a great bunch of people and having one heck of a time."

This year the contest takes on a slightly different meaning for members of Late Night With Bob Keeshan, though. It is a sad year because of the death of Keeshan, so they are playing for him this year, Komasa said.

The team did not make it to the top 10 last year, but they are hoping to return to glory despite the tough competition.

"This year, if we have success, it will be because we've taken more notes," Komasa said. "We've added more people and we're kind of hoping that we get lucky."

Steinke can be reached at 344-6100, ext. 2508 or at jsteinke@cwnews.net.