The 2009
IBM Master the Mainframe Contest is underway, but it's not too late to participate.
From the website:
This fall semester, IBM is running the 2009 Master the Mainframe Contest for college and university students across the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec). High school students are also encouraged to compete!
No experience with mainframes is necessary. In fact, the contest is designed for students with little or no mainframe experience, increasing with difficulty as the contest progresses. Students just need to bring drive and competitive spirit, and they will be ready to compete.