Eligibility in D2

• From: Suds1000
• Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 16:29:41 -0800
• Message-ID: <000U6JCRL.0011P0306.12170551-quizbowl_at_...>

I went to NAQT Sectionals last weekend with hopes
of taking home the D2 crown to Illinois. This didn't
happen due to several factors, but I'm only concerned
about one of them: every single one of the teams that
placed higher than mine had some sort of upperclassman
on it.

According to NAQT's website, "Division
II is intended to provide new schools and new
players with an arena in which they can compete against
other developing teams."

If this is the case,
then why was I playing against juniors and seniors at
sectionals? I'm not a bad first-year player, but can I
honestly be expected to compete against students sometimes
with three or four years more experience than
me?

While I don't have any problem playing against more
experienced players (I've even picked up a few wins on
occasion), it just seems that many schools are taking
advantage of the lenient rules NAQT has put on
eligibility.

I've heard similar opinions from players in different
regions. I think the D2 eligibility rule should be revised
again to include non-qualification for the ICT and play
in D1 SCTs, but also a maximum of 2 D2 SCTs before
being forced to move on to D1.

This would make
competition at the D2 level more manageable for new
players.

Throwing myself to the wolves,

Sudheer
UIUC
Academic Buzzer Team