From the Stevens Point Journal April 17, 2009:

Question writer relishes his role

John Eckendorf never expected to spend 21 years helping write questions for the world's largest trivia contest.

However, after the close of this year's WWSP 90-FM annual Trivia contest Sunday, that's just what he will have done.

Eckendorf began his career with the contest as a 90-FM student volunteer when he began to help Jim "Oz" Oliva, Trivia's coordinator, write questions.

"I didn't think I would be (writing questions) this long, but things between Jim and I have clicked," Eckendorf said.

Eckendorf and Oliva continually gather information for the contest, but Eckendorf said the official kickoff to question writing begins Jan. 1, the day the Tournament of Roses Parade in California is aired on television.

From then on, both writers meet on weekends to flesh out questions. Two weeks before the Trivia weekend, new question writing stops, and the time is used for polishing and fact-checking. In all, more than 400 questions are written.

Eckendorf, who currently is employed as a salesman at Spud City Sales in Stevens Point, said he has enjoyed being able to be more visible on campus and at 90-FM during the contest with his participation in activities like Trivia warmup.

"Every year, Jim and I say how blessed we are," Eckendorf said.

Anxious to get the contest started, Eckendorf said with a subtle wink to participants that this year's contest is "going up in smoke."