What is TQBA? 

The Texas Quiz Bowl Alliance was formed in the summer of 2003 for the purpose of promoting high school quiz bowl in the state of Texas. Its specific goals are as follows: 

  • To provide a website which serves as a central conduit for information about Texas high school quiz bowl.
  • To facilitate the expansion of quiz bowl into new schools and into new areas of the state. 
  • To promote quiz bowl and heighten its stature among the general public. 
  • To encourage in its participants a lifetime love of learning. 
  • To establish a coaches fraternity through which all schools may benefit from the experience of others.  

Additional information about Texas Quiz Bowl is available on the Frequently Asked Questions page.

Who is TQBA? 

Candace Benefiel is currently an Associate Professor at the Texas A&M Evans Library. She is a graduate of Brazoswood High School, of Rice University, and of the University of Texas. She is also currently an English PhD student where she is a member of the A&M quiz bowl team.

Steve Fontenot is a 1996 graduate of Strake Jesuit High School (Houston) and earned a Bachelor's Degree in English from Southwestern University (Georgetown) in 2000. He currently works in the sports editorial department at the Waco Tribune-Herald. 

Michael Friedman is a 2002 graduate of St. Johns High School (Houston) where he was a member of the 2002 NAQT National Championship team. Michael is currently a senior in Computer Science at Rice University where is a member of the Rice Quiz Bowl Team. 

Eric Kwartler is a 2003 graduate of Bellaire High School and is currently a junior in English at the University of Texas. Eric is a member of the UT quiz bowl team. 

Susan Mitchell is a 1999 graduate of Memorial High School (Houston) and a 2003 graduate in Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University. She is currently a graduate student at A&M in Chemical Engineering where she is studying process safety. Susan is a member of the A&M quiz bowl team.

Trey Morris is currently an emergency medicine resident at the Scott & White clinic in Temple and is also working towards a Masters degree in Rural Public Health at the Texas A&M University Health Science Center. Trey is a 1994 graduate of Midland Lee High School and attended Harvard University and UT-Permian Basin. Trey is also a member of the A&M quiz bowl team. 

 Matthew Nance is a 2003 graduate of Coronado High School (El Paso) and is currently a senior in English at the University of Texas and anticipates attending law school upon graduation. Matthew is a member of the UT quiz bowl team. 

Chris Romero, in addition to serving as the executive director of TQBA,  is currently a teacher at the Episcopal School of Dallas and is finishing his dissertation in math education at Texas A&M University. Chris is a 1996 graduate of Catholic High School (New Iberia, LA), and a 2000/2002 graduate of Texas A&M (Computer Engineering/ Mathematics). While an undergraduate, Chris founded the Texas A&M Aggie Bowl. In 2002 & 2004, Chris served as hosting director of NAQT's High School National tournaments at the University of Texas and Houston. Chris is a member of the A&M quiz bowl team.

Frank Thomas' moderating skills are a mainstay at Texas Quiz Bowl events. Frank is originally from Huntsville, Alabama and graduated in 1990 as a member of the all-state academic team from Huntsville High. He got a B.A. in political science from the University of Alabama in 1993 and is currently based in Austin. In addition to his work with quiz bowl, Frank is an up and coming professional tennis official.