Re: A Thought About Intramurals

• From: brian_hight <no_reply_at_yahoogroups.com>
• Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2002 04:11:02 -0000
• Message-ID: <aovuom+jtgc_at_...>

I'm inclined to favor the idea, mostly for the reasons previously 
delineated by Mr. DeJesus, but additionally for the ability to write 
questions for the sake of writing questions.  Even newer members of 
the team would be able to contribute questions on local lore and 
traditions, or bring in a spice of their heritage if they're from 
another part of the country or world.  Admittedly, those of you who 
have been subjected to my packets in the past know how I enjoy the 
use of regionalisim in packets. (Which has inspired at least one 
theme packet and may spawn a sequel.)

I can see one counterargument in that if you are using an IM as a 
means of evaluating players or if you are using a purchased set of 
region-neutral questions from one of the major manufacturers, a 
little local flavor might penalize a recent arrival or a group of 
young players if matched against a team of upperclassmen or longtime 
residents.  On the other hand, extra regionalisim and local flair can 
serve the purpose of adding extra school pride or teaching school 
traditions.  

Many of the schools with the strongest emphasis on passing down 
university traditions are not currently on the circuit, such as the 
service academies, military-based schools such as The Citadel and the 
Virginia Military Institute, and a good number of small schools with 
centuries of tradition, such as Hampden-Sydney, William and Mary, and 
Washington and Lee University.  (Yes, I'm using regionalism in my 
examples).  Maybe a few rounds of part-quizbowl, part-Meta-Quizbowl 
might provide enough of a hook for students at such schools to 
discover the world of intercollegiate quizbowl. And more schools => 
more potential teams to attend tournaments => more players and 
opportunities to play the game => more players writing questions 
=>more players and teams to fund tournament travel outside the region 
=>further opportunities for constructive growth within the circuit 
=>greater possibilities to enhance the circuit.

Brian M. Hight
Speaking only for himself, and not for any quizbowl organization, and 
certainly not for The Office of the Commissioner of Major League 
Baseball.