Announcement Penn Bowl 14: The Return of the Samer

• From: nicolas_walters <Sywolf_at_nicolas_walters.yahoo.invalid>
• Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 00:20:03 -0000
• Message-ID: <cmub7j+92cm_at_...>

The PADT announces Penn Bowl 14: The Return of the Samer.

Date: Friday/Saturday, January 21-22, 2004
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
[The most likely location is Williams Hall, although this may change.]

Game Format: Untimed, with power tossups

Tournament Format: Preliminary and playoff round robin, followed by
playoffs (most likely single-elim, possibly weighted-best-of-3). As 
of now, we would like to tentatively guarantee all teams that they 
will play 14 rounds. Also, there is a tentative cap of 36 on the 
tournament, which we're fast approaching, and may be raised. 
Obviously the sooner you let me know that you're coming, and the 
number of teams, the better. Schools will initially be allowed to 
send two teams, and third or fourth teams may be added to the field 
once every school that wants to register at least two teams has had 
that opportunity. 

Eligibility: Any college team. Chimeras/masters/other non-traditional
teams with permission of TD.

Packet requirements: First teams must submit a packet of 24 tossups
and 24 boni. Second teams must submit 18 tossups and 18 boni. Third
and subsequent teams are not required to submit packets.

Packet discounts: After trying a per question of $1, we are going 
back to the old system this year. It was a logistical nightmare to 
have to send checks of $18 to teams after the fact. So we'll just 
stick with the traditional packet discount structure. However, at the 
tournament directors discretion, we might throw in special discounts 
extra for the first packet submitted or the "best" packet. 

Deadline: The no-penalty deadline is 22 December 2003. No penalties
will be assessed--though the discount will be reduced--for packets
submitted between 22 December 2003 and 2 January 2004. Late fees will
be assessed after 2 January 2004, and teams may be removed from the
field if a wait list exists as of 9 January 2004.

Packet distribution: See next post.

Entry fees: 

Base fees 
First team: $145 
Second team: $120 
Third and subsequent teams: $100 
  
Packet discounts 
Very early (25 November 2003): -$30 (full)/-$15 (half)
Early (8 December 2003): -$20 (full)/-$10 (half)  

In addition, there will be an additional $20/$10 discount for the 
first three acceptable packets submitted.  
   
Equipment/Staff 
First working buzzer system: -$10 
Each additional buzzer system: -$15 
First full-time moderator: -$30 
Each additional full-time moderator: -$35 
    
Other discounts (per team) 
One-way travel >500 miles: -$10 
One-way travel >700 miles: -$30 
One-way travel >1000 miles: -$55 
One-way travel >2000 miles: -$75 
Missed Penn Bowl 13: -$10 
Missed Penn Bowls 11, 12, and 13: -$40 

Canadian teams: -$50
 
A school that qualifies for both a new school discount and a travel 
discount will receive the larger of the two discounts automatically. 
If an acceptable packet is submitted on time, 50% of the additional 
discount will also be awarded.  
   
Minimum fee per team $30 

  
Penalties 
Gross negligence of packet guidelines 
+$15 and/or packet rejection 


Registration: please e-mail Nick Walters (nwalters_at_...) 
with details on teams, buzzers, moderators and any other appropriate 
discounts. However, if you've already done the tentative registration 
with me, there's no need yet to send me all the other info. 

Transportation info: Airline and hotel info will be posted as soon as 
possible, hopefully by the end of the month.

Freelancing/Mirrors: The PADT is willing to provide a free set of 
questions to individuals or teams who are not competing at Penn Bowl 
who provide a set of questions for use at Penn Bowl.

In addition, we are always looking for freelance moderators; this 
year, we are able to pay freelance moderators $25, or provide housing 
overnight Friday.

Teams interested in hosting a mirror of Penn Bowl should contact the 
PADT.

Please contact Nick Walters (nwalters_at_...) for more 
information on any of the above.

If you have any logistical questions, please send them to Nick 
(nwalters_at_...). If you have any questions about packets 
specifically, please send them to Samer (samer.ismail_at_...). 
Thank you very much, and we look forward to another great year of PB.

Nicolas R. Walters
President, Penn Academic Demolition Team