Coming from a team that is mostly rookies (and I
mean true rookies), I find the undergraduate only
tournaments very beneficial. My team is mostly freshmen, many
of whom have never done quiz bowl before AT ALL. I
think they would have been VERY intimidated with their
first tournament being against people who have done
this for many many years. My "kids" were still
intimidated by the likes of Edmund, but they at least didn't
get shut-out, and for their first tournament, I think
they did pretty well. I would definitely have to say
that undergrad only tournaments benefit teams like the
one at DePauw. As a result of the tournament at Case
a couple of weeks ago, my freshmen have decided to
stick with it, because they had fun and didn't get
completely killed at their first tournament. I don't want to
alienate any new players, and I think the undergrad/junior
bird tournaments are a great way to keep them
around.
:) Just my two cents, since I've never posted on
here before!
Sarah