Team Illinois 2017-18

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Captain Sinico
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Team Illinois 2017-18

Post by Captain Sinico »

Quizbowl friends,

I'm pleased to announce that this year's Team Illinois tryouts are scheduled. Unlike last year, our plan is to do one big tryout at:
  • Sunday, February 11th, 9:00 A.M. at the University of Illinois in Urbana.
Unlike last year's tryout tour, greatly extended in space and time, I'd like to do our entire 2-round tryout right then and there. If things go as I anticipate, I'll be able to name teams that very day. The full tryout should take 3-5 hours, with a lunch break after the first round, and depending on number enrolled, about half of players can expect to be able to leave at lunchtime.

Anyone attending high school in the state of Illinois is eligible to try out. Please fill out this Google Form to register.

I'll update this thread as events warrant. Please post questions of general interest here. You can also e-mail me.

Good luck to you all,
Mike Sorice
Former Coach, Centennial High School of Champaign, IL (2014-2020) & Team Illinois (2016-2018)
Alumnus, Illinois ABT (2000-2002; 2003-2009) & Fenwick Scholastic Bowl (1999-2000)
Member, ACF (Emeritus), IHSSBCA, & PACE
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Captain Sinico
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Re: Team Illinois 2017-18

Post by Captain Sinico »

Let me answer some questions I anticipate based on last year, on e-mails I've already gotten, and on events since then.

As we did last year, we'll use a not-publically-available set set that nobody should have seen. I may announce what that is once I finalize it.

I'm not certain what we'll do with this team. I have some good indicators that a NASAT-like event will be held for us to play, in which case winning that would obviously be our main purpose. I have some backup plans in mind if that should fall through.

I do not anticipate holding other tryout events this time around. Since this is my first time trying to do things in one shot, it's not impossible that this plan might change, but please don't bank on it.
Mike Sorice
Former Coach, Centennial High School of Champaign, IL (2014-2020) & Team Illinois (2016-2018)
Alumnus, Illinois ABT (2000-2002; 2003-2009) & Fenwick Scholastic Bowl (1999-2000)
Member, ACF (Emeritus), IHSSBCA, & PACE
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Amiable Vitriol
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Re: Team Illinois 2017-18

Post by Amiable Vitriol »

I imagine you're already aware of this but just in case: chess state is in Peoria the same day as NAQT state. A number of competitive players will not be attending the tryout because of this. I also imagine players who live far from UofI will have trouble staying over Sunday without forcing a parent to come, which I'm sure has been an issue in the past but will be especially taxing with just one tryout. If you're at all considering another tryout at a location more convenient for Chicago area players, a lot of people would greatly appreciate it.

EDIT: words are hard
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Captain Sinico
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Re: Team Illinois 2017-18

Post by Captain Sinico »

Olivia L wrote:I imagine you're already aware of this but just in case: chess state is in Peoria the same day as NAQT state. A number of competitive players will not be attending the tryout because of this. I also imagine players who live far from UofI will have trouble staying over Sunday without forcing a parent to come, which I'm sure has been an issue in the past but will be especially taxing with just one tryout. If you're at all considering another tryout at a location more convenient for Chicago area players, a lot of people would greatly appreciate it.

EDIT: words are hard
I am aware of those issues and have made accomodations for a limited number of players who contacted me in light of them. If you're wanting a chance to try out and can't make it Sunday, please e-mail me as they did.
Mike Sorice
Former Coach, Centennial High School of Champaign, IL (2014-2020) & Team Illinois (2016-2018)
Alumnus, Illinois ABT (2000-2002; 2003-2009) & Fenwick Scholastic Bowl (1999-2000)
Member, ACF (Emeritus), IHSSBCA, & PACE
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Captain Sinico
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Re: Team Illinois 2017-18

Post by Captain Sinico »

Here's some more information you can use! We're planning to meet in David Kinley Hall, still at 9:00 on Sunday. Note: this is not where NAQT State is this year, but it is where it was in years past if that helps you.

Also, I want to apologize for my long delay in answering the previous comment. I tried to subscribe so I'd get e-mailed about any further posts in this thread, but I fouled that up somehow. I believe it's fixed now!
Mike Sorice
Former Coach, Centennial High School of Champaign, IL (2014-2020) & Team Illinois (2016-2018)
Alumnus, Illinois ABT (2000-2002; 2003-2009) & Fenwick Scholastic Bowl (1999-2000)
Member, ACF (Emeritus), IHSSBCA, & PACE
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Captain Sinico
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Re: Team Illinois 2017-18

Post by Captain Sinico »

Here's some more information based on e-mails I've received:

I would like all players to be at the event by 9:00 if at all possible. I of all people understand being late sometimes and the event may have some limited ability for me to engineer around that, but being late can't help your chances.

We're looking to end by 2:00. At this point, I think it's likely to be earlier – the loss of some enrollees due to the snow makes this difficult to predict, but fewer people tends to make a shorter event, of course.

In line with the above, I'm strongly considering adding a second tryout event to accommodate those prevented by weather from attending, hopefully on a day that isn't beset by a foot of snow. Stay tuned for more information on that. I can say for certain at this point that I will not be ready to announce teams Sunday.

In line with pretty much all quizbowl events ever, I'm not housing players overnight. I've heard that the Illini Union is full, in which case I suggest this nice, campus-walkable hotel if you/your child need/s a place to stay. Please contact me right away if this leaves you in some kind of emergency situation.
Mike Sorice
Former Coach, Centennial High School of Champaign, IL (2014-2020) & Team Illinois (2016-2018)
Alumnus, Illinois ABT (2000-2002; 2003-2009) & Fenwick Scholastic Bowl (1999-2000)
Member, ACF (Emeritus), IHSSBCA, & PACE
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Captain Sinico
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Re: Team Illinois 2017-18

Post by Captain Sinico »

As predicted above, I've scheduled a makeup tryout! Through the generosity of Coach Laudermith, we've got the use of Fenton High School on Sunday, March 11, the day after IHSA Sectionals. The time's T.B.A. next Sunday; see below on how to help determine it.

Please fill in this Google Form to sign up for a tryout spot. Vote in this Doodle to have your say about when we do this. As you can see, I expect the whole to take about 4 hours, maybe less.

As always, you can post a reply with any general questions, or e-mail me with anything else.

Thanks,

[EDIT: This post previously had a bad URL for the Google Form. This has been fixed.]
Mike Sorice
Former Coach, Centennial High School of Champaign, IL (2014-2020) & Team Illinois (2016-2018)
Alumnus, Illinois ABT (2000-2002; 2003-2009) & Fenwick Scholastic Bowl (1999-2000)
Member, ACF (Emeritus), IHSSBCA, & PACE
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Captain Sinico
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Re: Team Illinois 2017-18

Post by Captain Sinico »

NASAT is announced, so we now have a title to defend.
Mike Sorice
Former Coach, Centennial High School of Champaign, IL (2014-2020) & Team Illinois (2016-2018)
Alumnus, Illinois ABT (2000-2002; 2003-2009) & Fenwick Scholastic Bowl (1999-2000)
Member, ACF (Emeritus), IHSSBCA, & PACE
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Captain Sinico
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Joined: Sun Sep 21, 2003 1:46 pm
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Re: Team Illinois 2017-18

Post by Captain Sinico »

The makeup tryout has been scheduled for 10:00 A.M. on Sunday, March 11th at Fenton High School. Please come in the main entrance, which should be open. Events will be in the science wing. Thanks to Mike Laudermith for our venue and other support!

It's not too late to register. Fill in this Google form to do that.

Note that the daylight savings spring forward happens at 2:00 A.M. that day, so you get one less hour to get there. Sorry, dudes!
Mike Sorice
Former Coach, Centennial High School of Champaign, IL (2014-2020) & Team Illinois (2016-2018)
Alumnus, Illinois ABT (2000-2002; 2003-2009) & Fenwick Scholastic Bowl (1999-2000)
Member, ACF (Emeritus), IHSSBCA, & PACE
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Captain Sinico
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Re: Team Illinois 2017-18

Post by Captain Sinico »

The first round of cuts was made last week and logistics e-mails for phase 2 of tryouts went out today, so if you're waiting to hear from me about that, check your e-mail. Good luck!
Mike Sorice
Former Coach, Centennial High School of Champaign, IL (2014-2020) & Team Illinois (2016-2018)
Alumnus, Illinois ABT (2000-2002; 2003-2009) & Fenwick Scholastic Bowl (1999-2000)
Member, ACF (Emeritus), IHSSBCA, & PACE
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