Search found 131 matches

by Al Hirt
Thu Aug 04, 2016 4:05 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Would You Recommend Working for NHBB?
Replies: 75
Views: 81100

Re: Would You Recommend Working for NHBB?

I work for Dave Madden. I just want to clarify a couple things regarding "jetsetting" and "globetrotting". I've already conversed with Eric Mukherjee privately regarding this, and I definitely want to say that I am largely removed from the writing portion, so I can't really offer...
by Al Hirt
Fri Nov 06, 2015 3:22 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Mid-Atlantic Championships (Set A) Phillipsburg, NJ
Replies: 1
Views: 3374

Mid-Atlantic Championships (Set A) Phillipsburg, NJ

The National History Bee and Bowl will run its Mid-Atlantic Championships on Set A at Phillipsburg High School in Phillipsburg, NJ on March 12. More information to follow as the event comes closer.
by Al Hirt
Sat Sep 26, 2015 4:03 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Pennsylvania Dates, 2015-2016
Replies: 20
Views: 8707

Re: Pennsylvania Dates, 2015-2016

Just an update regarding NHBB tournaments in the area. Northern PA is scheduled for November 21st (we feel that there will be very limited conflicts with Penn's tournament on that day) Western PA is scheduled for January 30th. Delaware is tentatively scheduled for January 9th. Southern NJ is tentati...
by Al Hirt
Wed Jul 29, 2015 10:50 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: 2015 HSNCT conversion stats discussion
Replies: 53
Views: 22713

Re: 2015 HSNCT conversion stats discussion

Taney is covered in high school US history classes for his significant role in Dred Scott and his role in the Jackson Administration. I can't deny that he's harder to get than a President or a titan of industry, but it's a little baffling why his conversion stats are THAT bad.
by Al Hirt
Fri Jun 19, 2015 9:26 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: NY / NJ Date Claims, 2015-16
Replies: 65
Views: 37199

Re: NY / NJ Date Claims, 2015-16

My alma mater as of 12 PM, East Brunswick, is tentatively looking to run an SSNCT mirror on Dec. 12.
by Al Hirt
Thu Jun 18, 2015 9:34 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Call for Writers -- International History Olympiad
Replies: 36
Views: 19964

Re: Call for Writers -- International History Olympiad

I really shouldn't keep wading into this, but--I don't think the sheer scale of this enterprise has quite gotten through yet. Just the Olympiad, too--if the Blitz (and the creation of the rest of the History Bowl and Bee standbys) hadn't happened, then this event alone would have been one of the mo...
by Al Hirt
Sat Jun 13, 2015 8:23 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: 2015 NASAT: June 13-14 @ Ohio State
Replies: 37
Views: 46179

Re: 2015 NASAT: June 13-14 @ Ohio State

It's fair to say we should take a moment to appreciate what High Tech-I mean, New Jersey, is doing right now. Three players from the same team (granted, the three best players from the best team in the state) are putting together the performance of their lives right now and finished top bracket. The...
by Al Hirt
Tue Jun 09, 2015 10:30 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: 2015 NASAT: June 13-14 @ Ohio State
Replies: 37
Views: 46179

Re: 2015 NASAT: June 13-14 @ Ohio State

Bids received and accepted (6/9): California Georgia Illinois Kentucky Maryland Michigan Missouri New Jersey Ohio Pennsylvania South Carolina Tennessee Virginia Expressed interest: Florida New York Is New Jersey going to this? Jon Pinyan didn't think so - I'm trying to figure out if so, so that som...
by Al Hirt
Thu Jun 04, 2015 7:43 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: 2015 HSNCT discussion
Replies: 102
Views: 77047

Re: 2015 HSNCT discussion

It was the year that seemed to make it clear to me. Mr. Thompson who was moderating was finishing the sentence as I buzzed, so I think at this point it seems to just have been my confidence and luck on overdrive as opposed to a poor lead in. My apologies. We didn't convert the transgender toss up as...
by Al Hirt
Thu Jun 04, 2015 12:52 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: 2015 HSNCT discussion
Replies: 102
Views: 77047

Re: 2015 HSNCT discussion

Could I actually see the China tossup with the Friedman clue and the Westboro Baptist Church tossup? That might help clear up my own confusion for the former, and I just thought the latter was very well written.
by Al Hirt
Thu Jun 04, 2015 6:24 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: 2015 HSNCT discussion
Replies: 102
Views: 77047

Re: 2015 HSNCT discussion

I actually don't think too much of his work, but he's well associated with China. A description involving his work would have served the same purpose. That being said, it wasn't an egregious mishap or anything.
by Al Hirt
Wed Jun 03, 2015 11:43 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: 2015 HSNCT discussion
Replies: 102
Views: 77047

Re: 2015 HSNCT discussion

The questions for this set on the whole were very good. There was certainly some history on the easier side, as well as some CE (dropping artificial islands first line for South China Sea notably sticks out). On the whole, though, the difficulty seemed good, with powers available if you had knowled...
by Al Hirt
Wed Jun 03, 2015 11:26 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: 2015 NAQT HSNCT: Congratulations Arcadia!
Replies: 70
Views: 48407

Re: 2015 NAQT HSNCT: Congratulations Arcadia!

Forewarning that this post isn't meant to sound bitter or salty, it's just that our own experiences as far as PPB / PP20TH ranking are the ones I can most easily point to. We had what I would consider an extremely hard prelim schedule, playing 1 eventual T-53, 2 T-34, 4 T-21, and 1 T-13 (not to men...
by Al Hirt
Tue Jun 02, 2015 7:23 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: 2015 NAQT HSNCT: Congratulations Arcadia!
Replies: 70
Views: 48407

Re: 2015 NAQT HSNCT: Congratulations Arcadia!

Out of curiosity, why not consider powers per 20TH as tiebreakers if you want to still consider the value of tossups? Good teams will power questions against everybody, since they'll be attempting to beat teams to the question in competitive matches and certainly won't hesitate to buzz if they know ...
by Al Hirt
Mon Jun 01, 2015 6:36 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: 2015 NAQT HSNCT: Congratulations Arcadia!
Replies: 70
Views: 48407

Re: 2015 NAQT HSNCT: Congratulations Arcadia!

Playing in the podcast room was the coolest experience of my high school quizbowl career. Hopefully they're posted soon, because that's something that can greatly improve outreach and get school administrators excited about their teams as well. I thought HSNCT was a fantastic tournament, but is ther...
by Al Hirt
Sun May 10, 2015 3:32 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Scobol/QBBot help?
Replies: 0
Views: 2150

Scobol/QBBot help?

I'm trying to upload the bot for practice (I'm aware this isn't the best way to study, but my team is trying to practice in some way despite the fact we can't be at the same place at the same time), and for whatever reason I can't open it without an error message. Does anyone have any idea how to fi...
by Al Hirt
Sat May 02, 2015 8:56 am
Forum: College area archives
Topic: The Ryan Leaf Memorial Tournament (An NFL trash event)
Replies: 40
Views: 20641

Re: The Ryan Leaf Memorial Tournament (An NFL trash event)

I'll be teaming up with Emmett Laurie.
by Al Hirt
Thu Apr 16, 2015 1:03 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: NY/NJ/Surrounding Area, 2014-2015
Replies: 72
Views: 43119

Re: NY/NJ/Surrounding Area, 2014-2015

To clarify some stuff about EB, EB hasn't (and won't) play a tournament at full strength since Livingston Frozen Frenzy, as we have two players at Rutgers' Model Congress this weekend (Emmett Laurie and Cameron Masschaele). Our team at HSNCT will feature myself, Anand Nanduri, Jason Xu, Cameron and ...
by Al Hirt
Tue Mar 24, 2015 6:33 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Where Are You Going To College Next Year? 2014-15
Replies: 39
Views: 24815

Re: Where Are You Going To College Next Year? 2014-15

I am going to Penn and will be playing at decent bit of quiz bowl.
by Al Hirt
Mon Mar 23, 2015 11:51 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Mid-Atlantic Championships 2015
Replies: 11
Views: 5217

Re: Mid-Atlantic Championships 2015

I thought the bowl questions were far better than the Bee questions, really taking some cool angles and answer lines for stuff I never thought would come up. The Bee questions seemed chockful of fraudable answer lines and buzzer races three words in (though this certainly seemed better during the fi...
by Al Hirt
Mon Mar 09, 2015 4:45 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: NY/NJ/Surrounding Area, 2014-2015
Replies: 72
Views: 43119

Re: NY/NJ/Surrounding Area, 2014-2015

Out of curiosity, is Coach Powers organizing nasat tryouts again? I'm not interested in attending, but I have teammates who are and am definitely willing to help any way I can.
by Al Hirt
Sun Mar 08, 2015 10:05 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: New Jersey NAQT states date discussion
Replies: 12
Views: 4488

Re: 2015 NAQT New Jersey State Championships

East Brunswick will definitely be there and would further like to thank you for choosing literally the only date within the next two months which works for us!
by Al Hirt
Wed Feb 11, 2015 11:29 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: HSQBRank 2014-15
Replies: 211
Views: 130871

Re: HSQBRank 2014-15

As a general note, we're okay with our pseudonym being publicly identifiable with our name. It's not that our school doesn't want us going to tournaments, they just don't want us registering under the school name for liability reasons.
by Al Hirt
Wed Jan 28, 2015 2:24 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Pennsylvania NASAT team selection UPDATE
Replies: 4
Views: 3137

Re: Pennsylvania NASAT team selection

Even though I'm clearly not from Pennsylvania, I'd be more than happy to assist with the process if tryouts are held over Skype. I can already see Alex and Ryan as top candidates; I'd be surprised if the generalist spots went to anyone else.
by Al Hirt
Tue Jan 06, 2015 11:24 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Geo Olympiad Qualifiers Sign Ups
Replies: 2
Views: 1936

Re: Geo Olympiad Qualifiers Sign Ups

Thanks! I'm definitely looking forward to these tournaments.
by Al Hirt
Mon Jan 05, 2015 8:11 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Geo Olympiad Qualifiers Sign Ups
Replies: 2
Views: 1936

Geo Olympiad Qualifiers Sign Ups

Has registration for these events been put up on the website? It says it'll be there by fall 2014, but I haven't found it yet. I might just be technologically challenged, though.
by Al Hirt
Thu Jan 01, 2015 10:45 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: NY / NJ Area Date Claims, 2014-15
Replies: 69
Views: 42828

Re: NY / NJ Area Date Claims, 2014-15

Apologies for the double post, but does anyone know if Bloomfield is happening this year? I sent out an email to the contact NAQT has listed, but I have not received a response yet. I emailed Colleen Halpin earlier this year, and she said that they were indeed hosting on March 7 (the rooms having b...
by Al Hirt
Thu Jan 01, 2015 3:38 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: NY / NJ Area Date Claims, 2014-15
Replies: 69
Views: 42828

Re: NY / NJ Area Date Claims, 2014-15

Apologies for the double post, but does anyone know if Bloomfield is happening this year? I sent out an email to the contact NAQT has listed, but I have not received a response yet.
by Al Hirt
Fri Dec 26, 2014 4:04 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: GSAC XXII Question-specific Discussion
Replies: 16
Views: 838

Re: GSAC XXII Question-specific Discussion

Could I see the Stewie Griffin/Islamic State question? Both I thought were written very well.
by Al Hirt
Fri Dec 26, 2014 3:45 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: NY / NJ Area Date Claims, 2014-15
Replies: 69
Views: 42828

Re: NY / NJ Area Date Claims, 2014-15

Since it seems no one else is interested, EB is looking into hosting states this year.
by Al Hirt
Thu Dec 25, 2014 9:43 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: GSAC XXII General Discussion
Replies: 1
Views: 220

Re: GSAC XXII General Discussion

I liked the set a lot, good questions and the trash was extremely creative and as relevant as could be. The current events was also pretty good, accessible with good clues. One aspect of contention for bonuses is that the lit was extremely repetitive in structure. Fairly well-known work, author, obs...
by Al Hirt
Sun Dec 21, 2014 6:37 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Vermicious Knids who drop at the last minute
Replies: 19
Views: 9154

Re: Vermicious Knids who drop at the last minute

I'm also confused about how cost would be a reason to drop out the week of a tournament. It shouldn't be unreasonable to assume that if a team registers for a tournament, they do in fact know that they will be able to pay the registration fee. If you're paying out of pocket, then you should be able...
by Al Hirt
Sun Dec 21, 2014 1:25 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Vermicious Knids who drop at the last minute
Replies: 19
Views: 9154

Re: Vermicious Knids who drop at the last minute

I'm really not sure who you're mad at here, coaches or players. Either way, realize that coaches drop their teams because players drop, and players drop for a wide variety of circumstances that are often out of their control. We're talking about high schoolers with a lot on their plate; quiz bowl is...
by Al Hirt
Mon Dec 15, 2014 9:37 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: St. Joe's 5th Annual GSAC, December 20, 2014
Replies: 31
Views: 15363

Re: St. Joe's 5th Annual GSAC, December 20, 2014

About two years ago, I advocated that we might be better served having some sets run on both sides of the Hudson, allowing for two ~24-team tournaments rather than a 36-team tournament that stretches resources thin and leaves some teams on a waitlist. I think that's only happened with A-sets to dat...
by Al Hirt
Mon Dec 15, 2014 7:50 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: St. Joe's 5th Annual GSAC, December 20, 2014
Replies: 31
Views: 15363

Re: St. Joe's 5th Annual GSAC, December 20, 2014

About two years ago, I advocated that we might be better served having some sets run on both sides of the Hudson, allowing for two ~24-team tournaments rather than a 36-team tournament that stretches resources thin and leaves some teams on a waitlist. I think that's only happened with A-sets to dat...
by Al Hirt
Mon Dec 15, 2014 7:34 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: St. Joe's 5th Annual GSAC, December 20, 2014
Replies: 31
Views: 15363

Re: St. Joe's 5th Annual GSAC, December 20, 2014

This is a continuous problem in the local circuit-teams sign up, realize there are major problems, and drop. Often times, it's not even the fault of the coaches/teams, but school administrations (speaking from experience). Not that this excuses irresponsible behavior, but it's something important to...
by Al Hirt
Wed Nov 19, 2014 8:19 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: NY/NJ/Surrounding Area, 2014-2015
Replies: 72
Views: 43119

Re: NY/NJ/Surrounding Area, 2014-2015

There was some consensus last year that High Tech was the best team in the region, followed by Charter and then SJHS. There can be no such consensus this year. Bethlehem looks to be the best team so far, I'm interested to see how much they improve in the coming future. They're certainly a force to b...
by Al Hirt
Sun Oct 26, 2014 8:13 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: NY/NJ/Surrounding Area, 2014-2015
Replies: 72
Views: 43119

Re: NY/NJ/Surrounding Area, 2014-2015

I'd argue High Tech and Bethlehem are the two best teams in the region, followed by Ridgewood, Charter, Livingston, EB, BCA, and Manheim in no specific order. From the results at QuBIT, I would say that Hunter and St. Joe's should definitely be added on to that list. Sounds about right. St. Joe's w...
by Al Hirt
Wed Oct 08, 2014 3:45 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: SCOP mirror @ Hunter College High School, NYC (11/1/14)
Replies: 9
Views: 7321

Re: SCOP mirror @ Hunter College High School, NYC (11/1/14)

If this gets moved back a week, "Deep Green" can provide a mod and three teams.
by Al Hirt
Sun Sep 28, 2014 10:51 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: NY/NJ/Surrounding Area, 2014-2015
Replies: 72
Views: 43119

Re: NY/NJ/Surrounding Area, 2014-2015

So, in other news, whoever voted in the poll was a bit off. Although I think we can come to a general consensus that — barring any rapid improvement in the next couple of months — Bethlehem and Charter A will be the dominant northeastern powers, I feel like the rearrangement of teams under #1 could...
by Al Hirt
Sun Sep 28, 2014 10:40 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: PHSAT XXII-Princeton, NJ (9/27/2014)
Replies: 30
Views: 16489

Re: PHSAT XXII-Princeton, NJ (9/27/2014)

All things considered, this tournament ran far better from last year. Bracketing wasn't totally awful for an early fall tournament, the mods and directors were rather friendly and helpful, and we got out at a decent time with 10 guaranteed games. It was definitely a good experience and highlighted h...
by Al Hirt
Sat Sep 27, 2014 8:47 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: PHSAT XXII-Princeton, NJ (9/27/2014)
Replies: 30
Views: 16489

Re: PHSAT XXII-Princeton, NJ (9/27/2014)

Is there any word on official nationals qualification? The standings don't reflect the advantages played in the half games so I'm somewhat confused.
by Al Hirt
Mon Sep 01, 2014 12:24 pm
Forum: Best of the Best
Topic: The Big Vision: [9] Re-focusing on the Correct Opponents
Replies: 11
Views: 15251

Re: The Big Vision: [9] Re-focusing on the Correct Opponents

In the Garden State, there are plenty of team jeopardy competitions (which are often used by good quiz bowl playing teams to win cash and fund HSNCT or whatnot) that bring in 70 teams and offer a grand total of three games on a weekday afternoon. And NJ has a fairly established circuit combined with...
by Al Hirt
Mon Sep 01, 2014 12:24 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: The Big Vision: [9] Re-focusing on the Correct Opponents
Replies: 11
Views: 7291

Re: The Big Vision: [9] Re-focusing on the Correct Opponents

In the Garden State, there are plenty of team jeopardy competitions (which are often used by good quiz bowl playing teams to win cash and fund HSNCT or whatnot) that bring in 70 teams and offer a grand total of three games on a weekday afternoon. And NJ has a fairly established circuit combined with...
by Al Hirt
Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:08 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: LIFT @ Kellenberg (Uniondale, NY) 11/22/14
Replies: 31
Views: 18017

Re: LIFT @ Kellenberg (Uniondale, NY) 11/22/14

"Deep Green" would like to register two teams.
by Al Hirt
Sun Aug 10, 2014 1:11 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: NY / NJ Area Date Claims, 2014-15
Replies: 69
Views: 42828

Re: NY / NJ Area Date Claims, 2014-15

Last year, there was no overlap of the fields between Livingston and the New York HSAPQ State Championship, so maybe moving it to Feb. 28th might be an option? I know this may change this year, but it'll probably work.
by Al Hirt
Wed Jul 23, 2014 1:32 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: NY / NJ Area Date Claims, 2014-15
Replies: 69
Views: 42828

Re: NY / NJ Area Date Claims, 2014-15

Bloomfield has added a NAQT tournament on March 7, hopefully they'll be able to follow through this time.
by Al Hirt
Wed Jul 16, 2014 8:33 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: NY/NJ/Surrounding Area, 2014-2015
Replies: 72
Views: 43119

Re: NY/NJ/Surrounding Area, 2014-2015

No idea why we have 1/9 of the replies New England does so if anyone else of any region wants to make an insight please do.
by Al Hirt
Mon Jul 14, 2014 2:42 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: NY / NJ Area Date Claims, 2014-15
Replies: 69
Views: 42828

Re: NY / NJ Area Date Claims, 2014-15

I believe Charter said they would have their fall tournament on October 18th in the DC thread.