The application of the principles of intramural athletic competition to stimulate outstanding academic performance is discussed in this paper. The implementation of an academic intramural competition based on student diversity, immediate recognition, fun, and meaningful prizes in a Texas high school is described. The program is based on the tenet that student motivation for learning must be recognized and rewarded. The first year of the competition was successful in generating competitive student participation in academic achievement, community involvement, acknowledgement, and student motivation. (LMI)