Search found 117 matches

by mrgsmath
Sat Mar 09, 2013 3:15 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: IHSA 2013
Replies: 78
Views: 22024

Re: IHSA 2013

Quincy Notre Dame will make their first trip to the State Finals after going 3-0 in Sectional play.
by mrgsmath
Sun Mar 03, 2013 7:58 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Masonic
Replies: 65
Views: 31285

Re: Masonic

I should also add that in all cases, I instructed the teams of the rule, but issued no penalties for violations. I understood that many teams were unaware of the rule and the actions were not intentional to gain an advantage, but simply acting in a manner they felt was allowed. Only once was I a bit...
by mrgsmath
Sun Mar 03, 2013 7:49 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Masonic
Replies: 65
Views: 31285

Re: Masonic

I am the moderator being referenced and the issue had been discussed prior to the matches with Mr. Thayer. According the Masonic rules, once time is called by the time keeper, communication is to stop. The players have 3 seconds to give materials to their captain, and for the captain to start his or...
by mrgsmath
Tue Feb 19, 2013 9:01 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Masonic
Replies: 65
Views: 31285

Re: Masonic

A rules-related question: Was the "captain must give answer" rule in effect everywhere? It was only going on in some rooms here, but is that actually part of the current rules? My understanding is that the captain has to direct the answer, but can still designate. Follow-up. It IS in the ...
by mrgsmath
Sat Feb 16, 2013 8:38 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Masonic
Replies: 65
Views: 31285

Re: Masonic

PORTA Sectional #9
1 - Riverton
2 - Williamsville
3 - Athens
4 - Pawnee

Basically was uneventful and ran on time, no complaints from the teams.

edit for spelling
by mrgsmath
Sun Oct 28, 2012 7:18 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: The Future
Replies: 38
Views: 9783

Re: The Future

While it seems simple to suggest not going to a Conference meet or play conference games, Conferences operate on a contractual basis. Our conference for example requires that we participate in certain activities or drop from the conference, which means that if we have Scholastic Bowl (or Quiz Bowl) ...
by mrgsmath
Sat Sep 01, 2012 3:33 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Need an opinion from my Illinois coach mentors
Replies: 8
Views: 3280

Re: Need an opinion from my Illinois coach mentors

As I understand the rule, (by-law 2.050) while the IHSA would not allow such a team in the State Series, since all teams are required to have an school-approved coach and be registered in the activity, the team would not specifically be prohibited from participating in 5-on-5 local tournaments, with...
by mrgsmath
Fri Aug 03, 2012 8:38 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Hey it's time to talk about tone! (LIVE CHAT AUGUST 13)
Replies: 116
Views: 42564

Re: Hey it's time to talk about tone!

I went back and looked at the threads you referred to. IMSANITY discussion seemingly begins elsewhere, but I guess it really begins here: http://hsquizbowl.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10808&start=0 . Though not your intention, this was a key point. The original thread, which I am trying ...
by mrgsmath
Thu Aug 02, 2012 8:51 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Hey it's time to talk about tone! (LIVE CHAT AUGUST 13)
Replies: 116
Views: 42564

Re: Hey it's time to talk about tone!

What unyielding criticism is directed towards tournaments that are in keeping with good quizbowl? Look, just WHO are these hordes of mean people who promote good quizbowl and dislike reasonable discussion and are only interested in being right? I'm not denying that there are people who step out of ...
by mrgsmath
Thu Aug 02, 2012 7:50 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Hey it's time to talk about tone! (LIVE CHAT AUGUST 13)
Replies: 116
Views: 42564

Re: Hey it's time to talk about tone!

Oddly enough I checked the boards and found that I am now a Poster Boy, I will add that to the title of petulent 5 year old and other colorful titles bestowed on me by Matt. As a point of clarification my posting was not out of the blue and actually was not an announcement for my tournament. It was ...
by mrgsmath
Sat Mar 10, 2012 5:54 pm
Forum: New High School Teams
Topic: Preparation
Replies: 13
Views: 7809

Re: Preparation

for art you might consider Olga's Gallery at www.abcgallery.com

Great source for the visual aspect and the biographies are decent as well.
by mrgsmath
Tue Mar 06, 2012 10:35 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: IHSA
Replies: 125
Views: 34422

Re: IHSA

I can only speak for my school, but the tournament director for our site has always been the Superintendant from the neighboring school district (unitl this Saturday due to a family issue). I manage logistics, such as arranging the facilities, lining up staff, preparing materials,and making contact ...
by mrgsmath
Tue Feb 21, 2012 12:28 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Masonics
Replies: 61
Views: 12388

Re: Masonics

If the Masons would rather make decisions informed by myths than facts, then they are working in bad faith and — however nice it would be to have a Masonic tournament that doesn't suck — there is no hope; we are wasting our time on trying to convince them. I couldn't disagree more. First it is not ...
by mrgsmath
Mon Feb 20, 2012 3:05 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Masonics
Replies: 61
Views: 12388

Re: Masonics

There is a perception by many people used to IHSA Format that what Coach Grant says is true. Teams used to mACF know how to confer on its bonuses, but teams new to the format sometimes wait for five seconds hoping that a teammate will say the answer, and coaches who see it as a diversion from IHSA ...
by mrgsmath
Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:11 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Masonics
Replies: 61
Views: 12388

Re: Masonics

On another note. I know it sounds Hokey, but I have always had my team captain acknowledge our sponsoring lodge during the team introductions. You may not realize, but your local Masonic lodge actually pays for your team to compete, and a minor gesture to recognize tht is not too much to offer.
by mrgsmath
Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:01 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Masonics
Replies: 61
Views: 12388

Re: Masonics

I think the next big step should be to move towards part-by-part bonuses for non computational math. For no other reason, it'll make matches faster. And if matches get faster, there may come a time that the Masons are willing to go to ~9 rounds and we'll avoid single elimination. The major obstacle...
by mrgsmath
Fri Feb 17, 2012 10:13 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Illinois '11-'12
Replies: 211
Views: 52237

Re: Illinois '11-'12

Yeah; for example, Team Illinois could go to MUT @ UIUC next month as long as Coach Greene, Coach Legendre, Coach Laird, and Coach Lorinskas (as well as Assistant Coaches Jonah, etc., and all appropriate administrators) didn't have any role in registering, paying, or transporting. (If Jay Winter di...
by mrgsmath
Thu Feb 16, 2012 6:29 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Illinois '11-'12
Replies: 211
Views: 52237

Re: Illinois '11-'12

While it may not make me the most popular person on the boards. I think this ruling might show Mr. McGraw as more of a friend than many think him to be. He certainly could have taken a more rigid interpretation, and his reference to future matches that do not conform needing to be cancelled, might j...
by mrgsmath
Thu Feb 16, 2012 5:37 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Illinois '11-'12
Replies: 211
Views: 52237

Re: Illinois '11-'12

Regarding the regional postings. McGraw was not aware that it got posted when they posted the State series pools. (Which are official by the way, they held the blind draw) He is making sure the pairings are correct and says it will be reposted later today.
by mrgsmath
Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:26 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Illinois '11-'12
Replies: 211
Views: 52237

Re: Illinois '11-'12

IHSA Regional assignments are up and if true to history the State pairings will change after Sectionals, when they hold the random draw.
by mrgsmath
Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:11 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: A Hypothetical Illinois State Championship
Replies: 30
Views: 6527

Re: A Hypothetical Illinois State Championship

Since I am fighting a head cold this may only make since to me. But what if the structure ran counter to the present system. Start with 16 District Qualifier tournaments with the winner gaining entrance to the State Championship. The Next tier would be 8 Regional Qualifiers where 2 District feed int...
by mrgsmath
Thu Jan 26, 2012 12:43 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: A Hypothetical Illinois State Championship
Replies: 30
Views: 6527

Re: A Hypothetical Illinois State Championship

My "self ordained" was intended to refer to the process of entering the meet not an attitude of the teams or schools themselves. While IHSA and Masonic does require you to enter the preliminary rounds, there is a well defined process for advancement to the State Finals that seems lacking i...
by mrgsmath
Wed Jan 25, 2012 7:34 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: A Hypothetical Illinois State Championship
Replies: 30
Views: 6527

Re: A Hypothetical Illinois State Championship

I know I am a little late to the thread, but it should be noted that a brief review of tournaments in and around Springfield would show that 56 Schools, not teams but individual schools, participated in meets run on question sets that would be deemed acceptable by most people reading these this thre...
by mrgsmath
Sun Jan 08, 2012 6:58 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Illinois '11-'12
Replies: 211
Views: 52237

Re: Illinois '11-'12

I would also like to compliment Macomb on a good tournament. I thought that while it did run slightly long, 8 round and lunch in 8 hours, for the first attemp at this form it was more than acceptable. There did appeaer to be a couple of duplicates in the questions, but the staff handled them well. M...
by mrgsmath
Thu Dec 15, 2011 10:13 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Illinois '11-'12
Replies: 211
Views: 52237

Re: Illinois '11-'12

My bad. I meant to convey that his experience at tournament play was only as a Freshman. I should have read it closer before I submitted.
by mrgsmath
Thu Dec 15, 2011 8:55 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Illinois '11-'12
Replies: 211
Views: 52237

Re: Illinois '11-'12

TheTeen wrote: Do you know who the current coach is for Litchfield? I have heard nothing lately. jonah wrote: I think it's Amanda Lamore. Confirmed by a Litchfield player. I'm really wondering how the coaching change/graduating seniors will affect them. David York will probably carry the team prett...
by mrgsmath
Thu Dec 01, 2011 4:57 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Illinois '11-'12
Replies: 211
Views: 52237

Re: Illinois '11-'12

I don't feel qualified beyond the obvious top 4 in the overall poll, which does aline with most of yours. But on a Class A note I balloted as follows: Class A Only (Which I know doesn't matter for much, but we do have a few surprises from time to time) 1) Peoria Christian (Three great Ace Camp Veter...
by mrgsmath
Wed Nov 02, 2011 10:21 pm
Forum: New High School Teams
Topic: Talking to the coach
Replies: 7
Views: 3942

Re: Talking to the coach

Rarely do I post here, but in this instance I do feel I can contribute a suggestion. Try approaching your coach, and school administration if needed, with the idea of hosting a tournament. It does not need to be big. A simple Octangular would be a good start. There are mirror sets available at good ...
by mrgsmath
Sun Aug 21, 2011 3:34 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Illinois '11-'12
Replies: 211
Views: 52237

Re: Illinois '11-'12

I would agree that Litchfield is right now the favorite, but Keith Country Day has put together a pretty good program in a short time period. Speaking for the downstate schools which I follow, New Berlin could be a contender if they decide to continue. They played very well in the League last year, ...
by mrgsmath
Wed Jul 13, 2011 9:29 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: 2011-12 Tournament Calendar
Replies: 47
Views: 9199

Re: 2011-12 Tournament Calendar

Are any of these tournaments hosting a "novice"/"beginner" division open to middle school teams? Basically, just like the IHSA doesn't regulate 4 v 4 competition, IESA doesn't either. So any 4 v 4 tournament is allowed to include middle schoolers. It is up to the TD to decide if...
by mrgsmath
Thu Jun 16, 2011 6:23 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: 2011-12 Tournament Calendar
Replies: 47
Views: 9199

Re: 2011-12 Tournament Calendar

I did notice Latin but was unsure if their wavier would extend to Scholastic Bowl.
by mrgsmath
Thu Jun 16, 2011 5:56 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: 2011-12 Tournament Calendar
Replies: 47
Views: 9199

Re: 2011-12 Tournament Calendar

Not sure if this the right place to post this, but since it does affect schedules I'll put it here. IHSA has just announced a change in the Classifications making 540 the new enrollment number for Scholastic Bowl. This will mean Macomb, Lisle, and most likely Greenville will move to Class AA. Not to...
by mrgsmath
Mon Apr 18, 2011 3:50 pm
Forum: Middle school area archives
Topic: CMST II Public Discussion
Replies: 5
Views: 3035

Re: CMST II Public Discussion

I would say that the set was every bit as good or better than last year's. I regret that my team was missing several starters for the day and I played with 5th and 6th graders, but they all had a great time and felt the questions were tough but fair. I hope that this is a project that will continue ...
by mrgsmath
Mon Mar 14, 2011 5:54 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Illinois '10 - '11
Replies: 296
Views: 78488

Re: Illinois '10 - '11

Actually, KCD, Macomb, and Galena all tied in their pool at 4-1 beating each other. Macomb came out of the pool on points.
by mrgsmath
Mon Mar 14, 2011 2:01 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Illinois '10 - '11
Replies: 296
Views: 78488

Re: Illinois '10 - '11

I agree, having played everyone in the final 8 this year, with the exception of Herrin. I believe the pools are fairly balanced and should produce some very good matches.
by mrgsmath
Mon Mar 14, 2011 12:51 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Illinois '10 - '11
Replies: 296
Views: 78488

Re: Illinois '10 - '11

I did not intend for my displeasure to be as a result of our chances of placing being reduced. I was displeased with the apparent unprofessional way that the IHSA has handled, what appears to be an on-going condition. That they have not adjusted is the very definition of SNAFU.

edit spelling error
by mrgsmath
Mon Mar 14, 2011 10:47 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Illinois '10 - '11
Replies: 296
Views: 78488

Re: Illinois '10 - '11

So what exactly happened with the pools for Friday? Apparently Lisle/Toledo and Auburn/Stevenson switched pools (the IHSA does stuff like that?!). Well, if this is how it's going to be I'm pleased to not be in Lisle's pool. My thought is that the IHSA failed to update the website properly with this...
by mrgsmath
Thu Dec 16, 2010 4:02 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: When is F/S not F/S
Replies: 16
Views: 4159

Re: When is F/S not F/S

Illinois is starting to come around on the issue of "easy tournaments" with the advent of Fall Novice and SCOP Novice, as well as lower divisions at regular tournaments. In time, I'm hoping we'll see an elimination of F/S tourneys in favor of "novice" tourneys, so that this very...
by mrgsmath
Thu Dec 16, 2010 1:18 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: When is F/S not F/S
Replies: 16
Views: 4159

Re: When is F/S not F/S

Moving Day wrote: If a team has better freshmen or sophomores than you do? Too bad. As Jonah would say, "Go learn things."

TL/DR; What Charlie said.
This tended to be my opinion as well, but I wanted to hear other views from outside the bubble.
by mrgsmath
Thu Dec 16, 2010 12:38 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: When is F/S not F/S
Replies: 16
Views: 4159

When is F/S not F/S

During last weekend’s PORTA F/S invite there was a question raised about whether it is appropriate for a freshman or sophomore individual, who normally starts on the Varsity team for a school to be played down for a Fresh/Soph tournament. The individuals in question ranged from extraordinary to some...
by mrgsmath
Mon Nov 29, 2010 1:29 pm
Forum: Middle school area archives
Topic: ATTN: U of I Quizbowl people and/or Coach Grant
Replies: 15
Views: 5063

Re: ATTN: U of I Quizbowl people and/or Coach Grant

Depending on where this falls in accordance to nationals we might be able to make this happen. Assuming no new tournaments pop up (and CMST II is written), we could run this on April 2 or April 23. I would be willing to attempt to drum up the staff if a middle school coach was willing to work with ...
by mrgsmath
Mon Nov 22, 2010 1:49 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: NT & PORTA Scobol Solo 11/20/10
Replies: 51
Views: 60717

Re: NT & PORTA Scobol Solo 11/20/10

I don't have the details from PORTA, but it was won by a student from Chatham Glenwood, with a Greenville student finishing 2nd, and two Springfield students finishing 3rd and 4th. They had 40 students. I spent Sunday decompressing and apologize for not having stats out yet. PORTA results are comin...
by mrgsmath
Sat Nov 13, 2010 3:50 pm
Forum: Middle school area archives
Topic: ATTN: U of I Quizbowl people and/or Coach Grant
Replies: 15
Views: 5063

Re: ATTN: U of I Quizbowl people and/or Coach Grant

Any chance there are still some openings at your middle school NAQT on 2/16? If so, King's Academy would love to play. We played at Nathan's tourney last March and would really like to play in some tourneys this year as well. We're a home school co-op from the Northwest/West suburbs. I will include...
by mrgsmath
Sat Nov 06, 2010 9:09 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Illinois '10 - '11
Replies: 296
Views: 78488

Re: Illinois '10 - '11

The PORTA IHSSBCA Kickoff finished with Chatham-Glenwood 1st, Macomb 2nd, Peoria Richwoods 3rd, and Quincy 4th. Great day fo play. Stats to follow on IHSSBCA's site.
by mrgsmath
Thu Nov 04, 2010 6:48 am
Forum: Middle school area archives
Topic: ATTN: U of I Quizbowl people and/or Coach Grant
Replies: 15
Views: 5063

Re: ATTN: U of I Quizbowl people and/or Coach Grant

Pyramidal toss-ups, and related bonuses read one at time is what I consider foundational. You mean bonuses whose parts are related to each other, right? (As opposed to the bonus being related to the tossup whose correct answering earned it.) Sorry, yes that is exactly what I mean. I usually refer t...
by mrgsmath
Wed Nov 03, 2010 10:28 pm
Forum: Middle school area archives
Topic: ATTN: U of I Quizbowl people and/or Coach Grant
Replies: 15
Views: 5063

Re: ATTN: U of I Quizbowl people and/or Coach Grant

I agree, the more my players experience the form the more they enjoy it. We went to Nathan's Albus Doubledore meet last year and it was a great experience. The teams down here in Central Illinois are open to change, they just need the opportunity. I hope these tournaments will provide that opportuni...
by mrgsmath
Wed Nov 03, 2010 4:35 pm
Forum: Middle school area archives
Topic: ATTN: U of I Quizbowl people and/or Coach Grant
Replies: 15
Views: 5063

Re: ATTN: U of I Quizbowl people and/or Coach Grant

:grin: I mentioned you by name as you are the first central IL coach I thought of that handles middle schoolers that seems to be a friend of good quizbowl! So, I must ask, what schools do you expect are likely to attend? Anything we can do to introduce these coaches to the idea of asking 3-part bon...
by mrgsmath
Wed Nov 03, 2010 1:28 pm
Forum: Middle school area archives
Topic: ATTN: U of I Quizbowl people and/or Coach Grant
Replies: 15
Views: 5063

Re: ATTN: U of I Quizbowl people and/or Coach Grant

Since you are calling me by name, I don't know if I should be scared or honored. I am already planning to introduce the NAQT Middle school set in this area for a Feb. 26 tournament and had a lot of excited interest from the 30+ coaches at our annual scheduling meeting. I am not opposed to hosting a ...
by mrgsmath
Sun Oct 31, 2010 10:57 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Illinois '10 - '11
Replies: 296
Views: 78488

Re: Illinois '10 - '11

I just posted an announcement for the mirror of IMSANITY at Bloomington High School on January 15. Coaches who like the idea of mACF tournaments south of Chicago are highly encouraged to (1) bring many teams, AND (2) help us recruit schools to attend. Thanks in advance! I will need to make some arr...
by mrgsmath
Fri Oct 29, 2010 7:34 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Illinois '10 - '11
Replies: 296
Views: 78488

Re: Illinois '10 - '11

I will put on my Jr. High / Middle School coaches hat and add voice to the previous post. The matches suffer from poor moderating as much as from any structural flaws. While I would agree to the 20/20 concept in theory, since with the present question provider it would reduce the number of poor toss...