Vanderbilt ABC XXXVIII--11/7/2009

[rjaguar3]

Vanderbilt's 38th iteration of ABC will now be held on November 7, 2009. Please consult viewtopic.php?p=154193#p154193 for more information about the date change.

The fees are still the same:

$70 per team
-$5 per working buzzer system
-$15 per competent reader
$0 minimum fee

We also plan to have separate Varsity and JV divisions (this may change due to the number of participating teams in each division).

If you would like to register, e-mail gregory.j.gauthier@vanderbilt.edu . If you registered prior to October 9, please re-register for the new date of November 7.

[RountreeCHS]

Greg,

This is a couple weeks earlier in October than it has typically been, correct? Is there a reason for the change of date? I don't think it will matter for us; I was just curious. Thanks!

[jwoolley]

The University of Louisville is also hosting a tournament on October 17. Some of the usual Kentucky Vandy ABC participants may have already committed to U of L, which will have an impact on the size of the ABC XXXVIII field. It is also fall break for some of the Kentucky schools.

[rjaguar3]

Greg,

This is a couple weeks earlier in October than it has typically been, correct? Is there a reason for the change of date? I don't think it will matter for us; I was just curious. Thanks!

ACF Fall is scheduled to take place on October 31, and I believe Vanderbilt will be attending that tournament on that date.

[rjaguar3]

First post has been updated to reflect that the packets for ABC will be house-written this year.

[GHS Academic Team]

Regretably we have a local conflict and can not attend. Would you please send us the infomation regarding the spring tournament as soon as possible?

thank you for all of your hard work.
bjones
Grayson High School

[rjaguar3]

We will do that when we plan for the spring tournament.

[rjaguar3]

As of Tuesday, September 15, we will be using the following fee schedule:

$70 per team
-$5 per working buzzer system
-$15 per competent reader
$0 minimum fee

We also plan to have separate Varsity and JV divisions (this may change due to the number of participating teams in each division).

If you would like to register, e-mail gregory.j.gauthier@vanderbilt.edu

Current registrations (updated 9/15/09):
Varsity:
Dorman (2)
Walton (1, maybe 2)

JV:
Dorman (1)

[rjaguar3]

Update as of 9/23/09:

If your school needs a registration form, it can be found attached to this post. We will provide a mailing address as soon as I find out what it is, in case your school needs that.

Also, we ask that schools bringing more than one team please bring at least one reader/ You will still receive a $15 discount for each reader.

Finally, here's a current snapshot of the field as of 9/23/09: ([B] indicates buzzer system, [R] indicates reader)
Varsity:
Dorman (2)
Walton (1, maybe 2)
Russell (1) [B][R]

JV:
Dorman (1)

[rjaguar3]

THIS POST IS NO LONGER VALID. I AM LEAVING IT UP BECAUSE I REFUSE TO COMPLETELY EDIT OUT OLD POSTS.

Field update as of October 9, 2009:

Varsity
=======
Brentwood 1
Brookwood 2 [2B]
Chattahoochee 1 [2B]
DAR 1
Daviess Co. 1 [B]
Dorman 2
Dunbar 1
Ensworth 1
Hoover 1 [2B]
McGavock 1
MLK 2 [2B][R]
Russell 1 [B][R]
Santa Fe 1
Walton 1 (or 2)

SUM = 17 [10B][2R]

JV
==
Brentwood 1?
Daviess Co. 1
Dorman 1
Dunbar 1
MLK 2

SUM = 6

If your team is not on this list, you either sent your e-mail to the Yahoo account (in which case I should have your team up in the next few days), or you never sent me any further information about the number of teams you will be sending. As of October 9, we are still accepting registrations. Please let me know at gregory.j.gauthier@vanderbilt.edu if your team is not on the list and you would like to participate in ABC XXXVIII, or if your information needs to be changed.

[RountreeCHS]

Greg,

I have emailed you as well, but Chattahoochee will be there with 1 Varsity team and 2 buzzer systems. Thanks!

[rjaguar3]

IMPORTANT NOTICE--DATE CHANGE

Effective immediately, the date for Vanderbilt ABC XXXVIII will no longer be October 17, 2009, but it will now be November 7, 2009.

The change is due to a lack of availability of rooms for competition. When we set the date for ABC on 10/17/09, it turned out that a speech team had nearly every room in every hall reserved. The exception, we thought, was 11 rooms in Stevenson Hall, plus the possibility of using University School's room as a backup. Unfortunately, as of today, not only are we unable to use the University School, but Stevenson's 11 rooms had also been reserved by some sort of medieval society. As such, we can no longer hold the tournament on October 17, 2009. Therefore, the date has been moved to the alternate we had when we planned the tournament, November 7, 2009.

I understand that schedules are fixed weeks and months in advance, so I truly regret having to make such a late date change because I know that this will cause some teams logistical problems. Nevertheless, since it is now logistically impossible to hold the tournament on the announced date, our only choices are to cancel the tournament or reschedule it. Because we want to still continue the venerated tradition of ABC, we are rescheduling it, as the least bad option among those we have at this time.

To this end, I am clearing the field list and re-accepting registrations. I will be sending an e-mail to everyone who has asked about ABC to inform them of these changes. If you can still make the new date and want to attend, please re-register; otherwise, we will assume that you can't make it. Again, I (and the rest of the Vanderbilt quizbowl team) are sorry that we had to change the date on such short notice, but I still hope that the tournament, on November 7, will be a great quizbowl event, as it has been in previous years.

[Faiyad]

IMPORTANT NOTICE--DATE CHANGE

Effective immediately, the date for Vanderbilt ABC XXXVIII will no longer be October 17, 2009, but it will now be November 7, 2009.

Great news. We may actually be able to attend now =D

I am so excited, this is mahhhh favorite tournament =DD

[grayson77]

Same for us.
I hope we can make it this year.

[RountreeCHS]

Greg,

I read somewhere else on the forums that y'all were getting rid of the Friday rounds. Is this true? If so, will all teams be guaranteed to hear 9 of the 10 rounds y'all are writing?

If you are not guaranteeing at least 9 rounds, I can safely say that it makes little sense for us, financial or otherwise, to drive almost 5 hours one way to play 5-6 rounds of questions.

One of the HUGE perks of past Vandy ABCs was we got to play 4 Swiss-paired games on Friday night and then at least 5 more games on Saturday. Last year, we made it to the Championship game and played 13 rounds over 2 days. That certainly made the 10 hour round-trip worth it. I am very curious as to the reason behind the drastic change in format. I say drastic because the format I just described has been used for 10+ years and was, according to the many players and coaches I have spoken with, one of the coolest/best things about the ABC. So, why change it?

[Eric Huff]

Tradition in and of itself is rarely sufficient reason to do anything, but it's a shame to see Vanderbilt abandon the tradition of the Friday night rounds. Vanderbilt is always one of our favorite tournaments of the year, and a major reason that we make the 12+ hour roundtrip each fall is the opportunity to play a day and a half of quizbowl. While I'm sure that Vanderbilt will continue to be well-run with excellent questions, I fear that the abandonment of the Friday night rounds will take away some of that "specialness" that has made it such an attractive tournament for teams from so far away.

[RountreeCHS]

Well said Mr. Huff. This tournament has always been one of the bellwether tournaments of the fall season for our Team; one that everyone looks forward to. And, from speaking with many of my players in the past, I can safely say that part of that was due to the Friday games and the Swiss-pairing used to create the match-ups. That is certainly an aspect that will be missed by my team, and many others I am sure.

[rjaguar3]

Thank you so much for your input Mr. Huff and Mr. Rountree. As a result, we are considering reinstating the Friday rounds. This, of course, is dependent on (1) whether we can write an additional four packets for Friday and (2) whether it would be financially feasible to use HSAPQ instead to have the requisite number of rounds.

[Jeremy Gibbs Freesy Does It]

As a 2 time Fall ABC attendee myself, I definitely agree about having the optional Friday night rounds for this particular tournament. As opposed to the ICT, where you are forced to play those games, I really liked that this event had them as an choice for teams who did want to get more competitive games in, and it allowed for us get a lot of money's worth out of the 16 hour drive both ways and was a big reason why ABC was able to semi-regularly attract us, a team from so far away. I would hate to see that go.

[Joshua Rutsky]

Indeed. Although the date change has made it impossible for my team to attend this year (stupid SAT 2s), it has always disappointed me that the Spring version of ABC is only a single day as opposed to the Friday/Saturday event that Fall ABC has been, and I'd love to see it expanded to match Fall.

[scquizbowl]

We (James Island) might be interested in bringing a team to this tournament. Our coach keeps saying the wrong date, as she says it's October 30th and 31st, when it's actually November 6th and 7th.

Is that date correct (Nov. 6 and Nov. 7)?

[rjaguar3]

This is correct (that it will be Nov. 6 and 7).

After the rest of team meets tonight, we should be able to declare with certainty whether there will be Friday rounds (Ryan and I are leaning towards it) and the question provider (we plan to use HSAPQ to write the tournament, given that we have four additional rounds to write if we do have Friday rounds).

[RountreeCHS]

Greg,

Any word on if the Friday night rounds are back, and whether y''all are writing them or you are getting a set from HSAPQ?

Thanks!

[rjaguar3]

I will have confirmation on Monday, but we will almost certainly be reinstituting the Friday rounds. We're leaning towards using HSAPQ, but again, I will confirm this after our next meeting on Monday.

[RountreeCHS]

Greg,

I am really glad y'all are continuing the Friday night rounds. Thanks for the prompt reply. See you on the 7th.

[rjaguar3]

Here is the update.

First, due to popular request, we are reinstating the optional Friday rounds on November 6, in addition to the Saturday rounds on November 7. The Friday rounds are for seeding, and they also give you a chance to play more packets in one weekend against more teams. Please let me know whether you are planning to attend on both Friday and Saturday or just Saturday.

Second, due to the increase in the number of packets needed, we will be using HSAPQ set 9. Although, according to the HSAPQ site, this set has already been used at TJ, I believe they decided to mirror Dunbar and the website is out of date. Nevertheless, please check your schedules to ensure that you have not already planned to attend a tournament using set 9. If you are, please let me know; otherwise, I will assume that everything is all right.

Finally, I will have a field update shortly, and I will delete the older registration list. If your school is not listed, you are not currently registered. However, registration is still open.

[rjaguar3]

Field list (11/06/09)

Varsity
Brentwood 1
Brookwood 2 (2B)(Fri/Sat)
Campbell Co. 1 (B)(Fri/Sat)
Chattahoochee 1 (B)
DAR 1 (B[2?])(Sat)
Daviess Co. 1 (B)(Fri/Sat)
Dorman 2 (Fri/Sat)
Edmonson 1 (B)
Ensworth 2
Ezell-Harding 1 (Sat)
James Island Charter 1 (Fri/Sat)
Lincoln Co. 2 (2B)(R)(Sat)
Norcross 1
Southwest 2
SUM = 19 (9B)(R)

JV
Brentwood 1
Campbell Co. 1 (2B)(Fri/Sat)
Daviess Co. 1 (Fri/Sat)
Dorman 1
Dunbar 1
Dupont Manual 2 (2B)(Fri/Sat)
Ezell-Harding 1
Norcross 1
SUM = 9 (4B)

[Carangoides ciliarius]

Second, due to the increase in the number of packets needed, we will be using HSAPQ set 9. Although, according to the HSAPQ site, this set has already been used at TJ, I believe they decided to mirror Dunbar and the website is out of date. Nevertheless, please check your schedules to ensure that you have not already planned to attend a tournament using set 9. If you are, please let me know; otherwise, I will assume that everything is all right.

We did use the Dunbar set. HSAPQ set #9 hasn't been used anywhere yet. Your tournament, i believe, may end up being the first one to use those questions.

EDIT: Raleigh Charter's Bonfire of the Manatees on 11-14 is also using set 9.
As is the University of Pennsylvania's QuAC II on 11-21.

[Matthew D]

I just emailed you but DAR High School will have one varsity team

[rjaguar3]

I just emailed you but DAR High School will have one varsity team

Thank you. I've just updated the field, so you should be all set.

[RountreeCHS]

Greg,

I just emailed you as well, but Chattahoochee will have 1 Varsity team on Friday and Saturday. We will bring 1 buzzer system as well. Thanks!

[mkanu]

I was wondering how many rounds you all project JV teams playing versus Varsity teams?

[Matthew D]

What time are you planning on starting Friday and Saturday? I can't seem to find that information

[Matthew D]

Greg emailed you about the times but still haven't heard anything... what time are you starting on Friday and Saturday? Need to know because we do have a 2 hour drive

[aestheteboy]

Hey y'all. I'm sorry for our team's irresponsiveness; it's frustrating for me too to see my team so unorganized. I'll make sure that we will do a better job in the future, most likely by my taking over TD/communications.

Anyway, my understanding is that we will try to start as close to 6 pm on Friday and 9 am on Saturday. Since we have both Friday and Saturday to do the tournament, we will try to use all 15 rounds that HSAPQ provides us. Also, it seems (all I know is the field update that Greg posted) like we may not have enough buzzer systems. No one would enjoy slapbowl, so if your team owns a buzzer system, please bring them. The more the merrier! I've seen the HSAPQ set 9, and they are very good questions indeed. I hope to see you guys Friday or Saturday.

[Matthew D]

Thanks
We will be bringing at least 1 system more than likely two buzzer systems

[RGRummage]

Thanks for posting the proposed times. That's a start, but I still don't know where registration is and where we will be playing. Are the rules the same? For future reference, I did not receive any information this year about this tournament (either date) either by e-mail or in print. My only source of information has been this website. Ronnie Rummage

[rjaguar3]

Hey everyone.

Here are the times and places where registration will be occurring:

On Friday, registration will occur at 5:30 PM in Buttrick Hall 112. We plan to start the four rounds at 6.

Saturday will have registration occur at 8:30 AM in Calhoun Hall 109. Rounds will begin at 9.

Field update coming shortly.

[SHM]

The Campbell Co. coach forwarded this Email to me today from Donn Manker at Vanderbilt that said play started at 7 p.m. Does it start at 7 p.m. EST and this is why he sent that message?

From: Vanderbilt Quiz Bowl [mailto:vuquizbowl@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 12:57 PM
To: Manker, Donn
Subject: RE: Vanderbilt ABC XVIII...

Mr. Manker,
1. There will be a jv division and there will be matches for them on Friday night with four rounds played as is usually the case.
2. Registration will begin at 6 PM with a coaches meeting at 6:45 and play beginning at 7. We will meet in Buttrick 112 Friday. Saturday registration begins at 8 AM with a meeitng at 8:45 and play strating at 9. The meeting will occur in Calhoun 109 on Saturday.
3. My phone number is 502-552-1682. Call me with whatever you need.

SHM @ PLD

[Manyo2]

I sent the email to Mr. Manker. The time listed there was a result of a miss-communication between me and Greg for which I was at fault. The registration times that had been previously given in the forum of 5:30-6 and 8:30-9 are the correct ones.

[rjaguar3]

The field is now updated as of about 10:15am.

Again, if you have any clarifications on Friday/Saturday play or the number of buzzer systems and readers you are bringing, PLEASE LET US KNOW.

[Matthew D]

DAR will be playing only on Saturday and bring at least 1 buzzer system and maybe a second

[rjaguar3]

DAR will be playing only on Saturday and bring at least 1 buzzer system and maybe a second

OK, thanks.

[rjaguar3]

Here are the results:

1. Dorman A
2. Dorman B

Semifinalists: Brookwood A, Chattahoochee

Congratulations to Dorman for the win, and thanks to everyone who attended. We look foward to seeing you next spring!

[Matthew D]

Just wanted to say congratulations to both Dorman teams, Brookwood, and Chattahoochee; in addition to telling the Vanderbilt team they did a pretty good job with tournament.

[RountreeCHS]

Thanks Matt. We were pleased with our performance.

I was also pleased with the questions, which, for the most part, were appropriate for high school quizbowl, and well-edited. There were a few tossups and bonuses that went beyond the normal high school "canon", or included repeat information, or were poorly worded, but, in general, they were quite good.

Sadly, the same could not be said for the organization of this tournament as a whole. From the start, it was plagued with late starts, poor communication, and some very inexperienced readers. Clearly, some of the tournament staff members recognized this fact and did what they could to ameliorate the issues; I applaud them for their efforts to steer the event back on track. However, the tournament still did not run smoothly.

Over the past 10+ years, this tournament has been one of the preeminent competitions of the fall season for many quizbowl teams in the SE. Last weekend did not have much, if any, of that feeling of importance and prestige that previous ABCs possessed. Perhaps there were some legitimate reasons the tournament was not up to its usual high standards. Regardless, I hope the Vanderbilt Academic Team improves their tournament hosting abilities before next spring (and fall), or they might see a further decrease in the number of teams that will continue to come.

[rjaguar3]

Thanks Matt. We were pleased with our performance.

I was also pleased with the questions, which, for the most part, were appropriate for high school quizbowl, and well-edited. There were a few tossups and bonuses that went beyond the normal high school "canon", or included repeat information, or were poorly worded, but, in general, they were quite good.

Sadly, the same could not be said for the organization of this tournament as a whole. From the start, it was plagued with late starts, poor communication, and some very inexperienced readers. Clearly, some of the tournament staff members recognized this fact and did what they could to ameliorate the issues; I applaud them for their efforts to steer the event back on track. However, the tournament still did not run smoothly.

Over the past 10+ years, this tournament has been one of the preeminent competitions of the fall season for many quizbowl teams in the SE. Last weekend did not have much, if any, of that feeling of importance and prestige that previous ABCs possessed. Perhaps there were some legitimate reasons the tournament was not up to its usual high standards. Regardless, I hope the Vanderbilt Academic Team improves their tournament hosting abilities before next spring (and fall), or they might see a further decrease in the number of teams that will continue to come.

I'm glad you wrote that.

As you might be aware, Matt Keller has been an integral part of our ABC operations in the past. His graduation last year left us with some pretty big shoes to fill. From what I've heard (and experienced in one year), he is an organizational genius, unlike me (although I do give my best effort). As such, it was mid-August when I talked to Ryan about ABC. We set the date, and I agreed to be the contact person. From there, the logistical problems began:

1. After agreeing to be the contact person, it turned out that RCIA was the same night as one of the two weekly quizbowl practices, meaning that I could only meet once a week.
2. Because the room reservations fell through, we had to change the date at a pretty late stage.
3. We decided to add Friday matches midway through (which I know was a good idea, as the teams present seemed to like them).
4. We didn't end up finalizing a lot of the logistics until rather late in the process. Also, since we didn't have a web form for entering registrations, my master list had a lot of missing information, like who would be able to provide buzzers and readers. Further, going through e-mail was such a hassle that it prevented me from making more regular updates.
5. On the readers front, we simply don't have as many team members as before (even including non-regular attenders).
6. Matt took the password for the Vandy website with him without telling anyone what it was.
7. There was apparently a secret e-mail list Jack had to contact people with which I did not know of until the Thursday before the tournament.

Yes, I'm aware that there are a lot of problems. Now that most of the team has experience running such a tournament, we plan to do a lot better this spring. Nothing's finalized yet, but I know that at least one member of our team has seemed enthusiastic at running this sort of thing (as well as being better than I could possibly be at running tournaments). We are considering having him in charge of ABC XXXIX. I hope you all come as we fix the logistical issues that ABC XXXVIII had so that the tournament can have both good questions and good organization, as I know is expected of us. We do not want to disappoint.

[Cernel Joson]

Were stats kept? I think a lot of people would like to do a regional comparison on this set.

[rjaguar3]

Were stats kept? I think a lot of people would like to do a regional comparison on this set.

We have round stats but no toss-ups entered. Daichi might do toss-up stats, but we don't have individual stats.

[Ronnie the Bear]

So is there an ETA on whatever stats being posted?