Terrapin 1999 and MAQT

twoclubs · Tue, 09 Nov 1999 23:19:04 -0800

Contrary to some of the previous posts, I would
like to make a few comments on behalf of the Maryland
team, which again is swirled in
controversy. If
anyone from the extended Maryland organization
(including geezers and alumni) would like to comment
adversely, please feel free, but I think this approximately
summarizes what has taken place this weekend.

1. A
total of 15 players played at various times on the two
house teams at the Terrapin, with Dave Hamilton
captaining one team and myself the other. This practice is
not unusual at the Terrapin, almost traditional,
especially when an extensive freshmen class is interested in
playing. In a large organization, it is important to find
ways for underclassmen (and rusty upperclassmen) to
play without excessively draining funds, and the
Terrapin was an opportunity just like any other. With a
competent moderating staff, the running of the tournament
went off without any problems.

2. The actions
of the TD are final, with regards to playoffs,
scheduling, or any other administrative issues. Since there
was no tie, there was no playoff - a legitimate way
to end the tournament, and an aid for those
teams
who had to drive back home that night.

3. It
is very difficult to judge what has taken place at
another tournament if one is not present at said
tournament. Case and point: I
cannot judge on the quality
of TRASH this weekend because I was not present.
Therefore, much of the rumors that have been flying are
based on:

4. The fact that we are Maryland. It
is unfortunate that since certain members of our
organization past and present have been opinionated, we AS AN
ORGANIZATION are branded as aloof and obnoxious. Yes, we have
a large following and yes, we have been and
hopefully will continue to be good at
quizbowl, but past
actions do not imply future problems. I hope future
players will make their own judgements based on whom they
meet and their first-hand experiences, not what
certain web-pages may say nor what players five years
older have told them.

The University of Maryland
has been a prominent and long-standing organization
in the annals of quizbowl, dating back to our
CBI
championship in 1981. We conduct ourselves in an ethical,
professional manner at all times, and will continue to do so
in the future. If you
have a bone to pick with
any of the members of our team, please do so in
private. If you have a bone to pick with any of our alumni
or geezers,
please do so in private. I think the
reactions of some of my teammates speak for themselves, but
if you still have any questions regarding
the
validity of the Terrapin this year, please e-mail me in
private. And please: if you feel the need to gossip, do so
elsewhere - there are too
many people that have put too
much time into ensuring a well-run circuit for such
petty squabbling.

-Shaun Hayeslip
President,
Maryland Academic Quiz Team