The Quizbowl Resource Center

Our school is looking at hosting a tournament at some point this year. It would be our first hosted tournament ever. However, we would also like to explore the possibility of hosting something for middle school students as well (maybe the Collaborative set?), so we're wondering how feasible it is to run two tournaments on the same day. One would be a high school tournament. There are usually between 8 and 12 teams at a high school tournament in the Bay Area. Another would be a middle school tournament, for which we would invite an appropriate (less than 15) number of middle schools. Has this generally been logistically possible when run in the past, or is it better to split the tournaments between days? Furthermore, how do the hosts of middle school tournaments get an appropriate number of buzzers? This seems especially tough in an area with no middle school quiz bowl at all (like the Bay Area), since it's unlikely that schools will have buzzers they can bring to the tournament. This makes it more tempting to have the tournament on the same day as the high school one, since we could use some of the unused buzzers (if they exist) that other high schools bring. Ideas?

I have done this, it is not that hard. My one piece of advice: keep the groupings fairly distinct and away from each other in the building if possible.

Cool, but how about the buzzer situation?

Offering multiple buzzer discounts is a good start. Calling around to area college teams and asking for staff/buzzer loans can also work, esp. if you have some grads in the area who can help recruit. Sometimes college students are willing to read for you out of kindness and a desire for a free pizza lunch.

I would not host them side by side as my first tournament unless you or someone else is really good at organization and other logistics. I would also keep it small at first; are you planning to make this an annual event? If so, you can always add more teams and enhancements over time.

This is not any different than having separate varsity and JV divisions on different questions. Considering the number of teams, it's very doable, as long as you have enough volunteers and buzzers. I would go for it.