Years of underachievement on BBC Two’s University Challenge are set to come to an end as YUSU announced a reinvigoration of the selection and training processes this week. Apart from making the Quarter Finals in 2007, York has failed to reach the second round on all but two occasions since the beginning of the modern series in 1994.
This record, described by current YUSU President Anne-Marie Canning as “embarrassing”, now serves as the inspiration behind a revamped approach to the competition.
“We will be a lot more proactive,” Canning said regarding YUSU’s organisation of the team.

The YUSU focus will be on implementing innovative training schemes to give the selected team “the best possible chance” of success. Senior members of the University will be recruited to better prepare the candidates and Canning is currently devising a ‘staff versus students’ event to aid this process.

Former team captain John Bull defended York’s efforts, describing the difficulties of facing “larger universities who fill their teams with graduates”.
However, Canning was unequivocal in her condemnation of institutions “playing dirty” by submitting all-graduate teams, and vowed to endeavour for a high quality but diverse squad.

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