<<The ball is really in Chip's court in regard to a unified national. I think that NAQT and PACE try their hardest to do what they can. I think the first step towards a better high school circuit, would be for Chip to make his costs manageable, in turn allowing schools access to more tournaments during the summer.>> You are probably right there. I think Chip probably doesn't see himself as part of a circuit, however. I think he sees his national as the ONLY one. As for costs, I really have no idea how he determines prices. I am sure there is some method to his madness, but who really knows? <<Unfortunately I hear often of teams choosing Chip over NAQT or teams choosing only Chip due to lack of funds. I only suspect the same is true for PACE. In my opinion given equal opportunity and choice then the best tournament would eventual survive to become that illusive unified national.>> I am coming to the opinion that a unified national would have to be something different from what currently exists. If it were possible to host an invitational with the top teams from each of the "nationals" invited, then that would be a true national. Of course, cost is an issue for most teams. That is why I suggest corporate sponsorship. That is, of course, a difficult subject. Companies are tightening their belts these days. However, I do think it is possible. It would just require the right people talking to the right company and producing results ASAP. <<If I may inquire, how did you become a Chip staffer. How much do you get paid? Who are you for that matter? Where are you from?>> I am Jason Russell, former Lee University quiz bowl captain and current TRASH wannabe. The father of a good friend of mine is a long-time staffer for Chip, Brooks Sanders. In fact, he used to run a national of his own for a few years. Chip was looking for readers last year and asked me to send him a tape. I sent him a video of a match I read in Chattanooga, and he liked my reading. He invited me to the national last year on a trial basis and liked my reading well enough to invite me back this year. As for pay, I don't know what his regulars get, but I was paid $300 per tournament last year.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0: Sat 12 Feb 2022 12:30:44 AM EST EST