It’s time for Newman University community members of all ages to test their pop culture knowledge in the ultimate exercise of random facts — all in the spirit of fundraising.
Doors open for the Feb. 28 Pop Culture Pandemonium Trivia Night, which is part of a fundraiser during Newman’s annual Giving Day, at 6:15 p.m. with the first trivia round starting at 7 p.m. in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center. Teams of up to six individuals can register for the event, which costs $10 per person, or $50 for a table of six. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams: $300 for first place, $150 for second and $120 for third.
This year, students of Newman University’s Hispanic American Leadership Organization are excited to introduce a “build your own food” board experience in addition to trivia. Guests may purchase an optional $50 platter for their team’s table and experience authentic dishes including tacos, gorditas and tostadas. The platter will be served family style for each table and includes three meat options (asada, al pastor and chicken tinga) plus rice, beans, homemade salsa options, chips and queso fresco. Each player at the table will also receive an aguas frescas to drink.
Trivia with a personal touch
For trivia creator Joshua Schoenecker-Prilliman, director of student activities at Newman University, Feb. 28 marks much more than just an evening of fun and games.
It’s also a Christmas wish come true.
“I called my mom after our 2024 trivia night and said ‘I know what I want for Christmas this year,’” Schoenecker-Prilliman said. “I would love to have everybody in the family here for next year’s event.”
While not all of Schoenecker-Prilliman’s family members could attend, he said four of “the most influential people in my life are participating this year: my mother, Lari Prilliman, father, Robert Prilliman, brother Tyler Prilliman and uncle Jeff Prilliman.”
Schoenecker-Prilliman said trivia night represents a “giant reflection of my life and experiences because of the people in my life.”
Schoenecker-Prilliman’s father, Robert, a retired leader in high-tech sales, and mother, Lari, who works remotely for a physician, are excited to travel from Arizona to Wichita for the big day.
“When Joshua graduated from high school in 2010, he looked at Newman and Benedictine, and he really liked Newman,” Robert said. “And just like when he was in school, Joshua does everything with his whole heart, so I’m sure trivia will be the same. I believe Newman University is a big piece of Wichita, and Wichita is in my DNA. We want Newman to be successful, as well as their fundraisers.”
Lari added her gratitude for the Newman community, which helped Joshua feel at home as a student and employee.
“Billy Murphy (interim director of athletics) gave Joshua a great opportunity to be a participant as a bowler in 2010,” Lari said. “Being part of a team makes the first college experience so much easier. Like every other parent on this planet, Robert and I love to see Joshua be successful and happy in his adult life.”
Trivia categories and influences
The categories of trivia night are movie soundtracks, athlete nicknames, game slogans, music mashups and TV screenshots, many of which align with the interests of Schoenecker-Prilliman’s family.
Once on a family vacation to the lake, the Prilliman boys asked their father what they should listen to. Their dad responded, “George Thorogood.”
“My brother Tyler and I almost at the same time went, ‘Who?’ The first song was ‘Bad to the Bone,’ and I was hooked immediately,” Schoenecker-Prilliman said.
“So last year when one of the trivia answers was ‘George Thorogood & The Destroyers,’ Professor Kristi Barton Edwards was like, ‘Who picks George Thorogood?’ and I was like, ‘Hey, relax lady. That’s religion. And if you’re going to blame anybody, blame my dad,’” Schoenecker-Prilliman said.
Other influences stem from playing video games like “Mortal Kombat” and “Mario Kart” with his brothers and watching professional sports like wrestling, basketball and football. Schoenecker-Prilliman watched shows like “Bewitched,” “I Dream of Jeannie” and “The Andy Griffith Show,” with his mother. With his father, he enjoyed Clint Eastwood and John Wayne movies, plus series like “Lord of the Rings,” to name a few.
For Schoenecker-Prilliman, watching the Heroes & Icons Network and several Western TV shows and “American Gladiators” with his uncle, Jeff, also brings fond memories. Jeff worked in public service for most of his life, serving in various emergency and law enforcement roles. For the last 38 years, he has worked for EagleMed, one of Wichita’s air medical transport companies.
Jeff describes Joshua as “artistic,” stating that guests will experience it firsthand during trivia night.
“There will be lots of laughing and I guarantee trivia night will be entertaining,” Jeff said. “Josh is always entertaining, and that entertainment value that comes out when Josh is involved — that original, unique and artistic process — what better night could there be spent with friends and family?”
Tyler, Schoenecker-Prilliman’s older brother of four years, works as a bartender out of St. Louis. Not only is he excited to make the six-hour trip to trivia night in Wichita, but he is also excited about “winning it with no mercy.”
“It’ll be fun,” he added with a smile. “You and your family can also discover how much useless stuff you know.”
Robert encourages families to come together and join in the fun on Feb. 28.
“It’ll be a new experience, it’s an opportunity to support Newman, but more importantly, have some fun and kind of peek behind the scenes and be part of that Newman family,” he said.
Register for Pop Culture Pandemonium Trivia Night
Doors open for this Giving Day fundraiser at 6:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, with the first trivia round starting at 7 p.m. in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center. Teams of up to six can register. The cost is $10 per person or $50 for a table of six. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams: $300 for first place, $150 for second and $120 for third.
