SPRINGFIELD –  A Western Massachusetts broadcasting tradition goes into its 60th year when “As Schools Match Wits” (ASMW) enters its 60th season this year.

The show’s executive producer Tony Dunne explained to Reminder Publishing the show is the second longest running show of its kind in the nation. A similar show, “It’s Academic,” made its debut in Washington D.C. only two weeks earlier than ASMW did in 1961.

ASMW is a quiz show with teams representing area high schools. Students answer question in categories that include arts and entertainment, literature, math and science, general knowledge, social studies and world events.

The show originally was produced by WWLP, but 15 years ago the station made a decision to end the show’s run. New England Public Media (NEPM) and Westfield State University (WSU) made the decision to collaborate in producing the show and keeping it on the air, Dunne added.

The pandemic cut short the 59th season and Dunne said NEPM just finished taping this season. To make sure everyone was safe, Dunne said the two teams, the host and moderator Beth Ward, and the production crew were all in separate rooms.

Dunne noted the program offers a unique opportunity for communication students at WSU as they make up much of the production crew.

“The show celebrates learning in front of and behind the camera,” he said. Receiving a professional credit while still at college is a “rare, rare thing.”

Dunne expressed his gratitude for his counterpart at WSU, Mark St. Jean, who said in a written statement, “I’m really happy that we are able to get ‘As Schools Match Wits’ back into production at Westfield State University for this historic, 60th season for the show.  It's not only great to have the area high school teams competing again, but it’s great to have our Westfield State student production crew back.  Most of them are seniors and they are really pumped to be working on this show again after all those months of having only online meetings for classes.  And I am very grateful to the Westfield State administration for helping us get back on the air with a safe social-distancing plan in place.”

In the past 15 years, one match-up summed up the spirit of the program for Dunne. He recalled a match between Longmeadow High School and Holyoke High School. He called it a contest between “one of the most beleaguered school with one of the most well-resourced schools in the state.”

Holyoke schools were under the supervision of a state-appointed receiver.

The Holyoke team proved to be a formidable group. The match went into triple over-time with the Holyoke team winning by one answer.

“With hard work, discipline and  knowledge, anything is possible,” Dunne said. He recalled at that at the end of the match the two teams hugged each other.

The late Leonard Collamore created the show and wrote all the questions until 1983. The first host was WSU English Professor Phil Shepardson. Shepardson did double-duty at the TV station by not only hosting ASMW, but also a children’s show as well. He stayed with ASMW until 1991, when John Baran took over the hosting duties until 2006.

Veteran journalist Beth Ward became the host 13 years ago. She told Reminder Publishing there were “challenges, logistically and technically” this year.

“Everyone came together and worked really, really hard, WSU and NEPM, to make it happen,” she added.

She noted each team had three students this year rather than four and everyone was masked. While she missed seeing the students face-to-face, she said she believes this was “one of the most exciting seasons we’ve ever had.”

The schedule for the matches is:

• April 17:
Agawam High vs. Chicopee Comp at 7 p.m.
Hall High School vs. Smith Academy at 7:30 p.m.

• April 24:
Windsor High vs. Belchertown High at 7 p.m.
Minnechaug High vs. Amherst Regional at 7:30 p.m.

• May 1:
Frontier Regional vs. Pope Francis Prep at 7 p.m.
Lenox Memorial vs. Hampshire Regional at 7:30 p.m.

• May 8:
East Granby vs. Wahconah Regional at 7 p.m.
Mount Greylock vs. Pioneer Valley at 7:30 p.m.

• May 15:
Semifinal Match 1 at 7 p.m.
Semifinal Match 2 at 7:30 p.m.

• May 22:
Championship Match at 7 p.m.