From the Stevens Point Journal April 11, 2008:

Central Wis. hosts 'Trivia Invasion' this weekend

STEVENS POINT -- The self-proclaimed world's largest trivia contest begins its 54-hour run today, and players could have references to The Beatles, Rolling Stones and other British rock 'n roll bands to figure out.

"The Trivia Invasion," with a focus on the British music invasion of the 1960s, is the theme for the 39th annual competition in Stevens Point, said Jim Oliva, the contest mastermind for three decades.

"There might be a music snippet from a British invasion group. That would certainly be valid," said the question-writer affectionately nicknamed "The Oz."

But Oliva refused to make any promises, saying, "I won't give anybody any clues."

About 450 teams with about 12,000 players, some traveling from across the nation, are expected to compete this year. Some consider the contest an annual rite of spring in north central Wisconsin -- a holiday of sorts to renew friendships, answer obscure pop culture questions, eat, party and get little sleep.

Oliva describes the contest's continuing popularity this way: The snowmobile trails have melted; skiing is done, and there is nothing to do.

"Now we can get together with all of our friends and really have a great weekend," he said. "This is my 30th year. I am 62 years old. And I keep going, 'You know, 62-year-old people shouldn't be doing this.' But I am. I am pretty psyched."

The contest, which will end at midnight Sunday, involves eight questions read every hour on WWSP-FM (89.9), the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point radio station. Contestants search books, the Internet, movies and other sources for answers.

Mike Rosek, who will host the Substation team at his Plover home for its 38th year of competition, said the team pays attention to the theme each year but doesn't spend extra time concentrating on it.

"This year, we are pretty fortunate, because most of our team lived though the British invasion of music," the 55-year-old team leader said.