2019 NASAT: June 22 & 23
2019 NASAT: June 22 & 23
This is a preliminary announcement that the 2019 NASAT will be held on June 22 and 23, 2019. It will likely be held in Lexington, Kentucky again.
Fred Morlan
University of Kentucky CoP, 2017
International Quiz Bowl Tournaments, CEO, co-owner
former PACE member, president, etc.
former hsqbrank manager, former NAQT writer & subject editor, former hsqb Administrator/Chief Administrator
University of Kentucky CoP, 2017
International Quiz Bowl Tournaments, CEO, co-owner
former PACE member, president, etc.
former hsqbrank manager, former NAQT writer & subject editor, former hsqb Administrator/Chief Administrator
- nycaqb1999
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Re: 2019 NASAT: June 22 & 23
I'd like to caution against hosting NASAT in Lexington again. Though I really enjoyed the town and thought the campus was lovely, the amount my teammates and I had to spend on transportation to/from KY was exorbitant, not even adding in the cost of transportation to/from the hotel to campus. The fact that Lexington is poorly connected via bus and air (with no rail link), makes it really expensive for teams with no car transportation to get to NASAT. Since almost all players are attending on their own dime, it would be great if the tournament was hosted in a place with more connectivity/transportation options.
Maximilian Shatan
Founder and Captain,
Bard High School Early College Manhattan '18
Captain,
Wesleyan University '22
"beep...beep...beep" - Sputnik I
Founder and Captain,
Bard High School Early College Manhattan '18
Captain,
Wesleyan University '22
"beep...beep...beep" - Sputnik I
Re: 2019 NASAT: June 22 & 23
A belated reply to the above: we're aware of the relative difficulties of traveling into Lexington, Kentucky, but that is where IQBT is base. A lot of our connections for local staff and room reservations are dependent on hosting in Lexington. Additionally, one of the co-owners would also be unable to travel out of town the weekend of NASAT due to professional obligations, which would cut the amount of in-house support staff for the tournament down by at least two people.
I am in talks with two possible hosts that are not in Lexington. I hope to have a formal site announcement in the next week or two.
I am in talks with two possible hosts that are not in Lexington. I hope to have a formal site announcement in the next week or two.
Fred Morlan
University of Kentucky CoP, 2017
International Quiz Bowl Tournaments, CEO, co-owner
former PACE member, president, etc.
former hsqbrank manager, former NAQT writer & subject editor, former hsqb Administrator/Chief Administrator
University of Kentucky CoP, 2017
International Quiz Bowl Tournaments, CEO, co-owner
former PACE member, president, etc.
former hsqbrank manager, former NAQT writer & subject editor, former hsqb Administrator/Chief Administrator
Re: 2019 NASAT: June 22 & 23
You put the tournament on the weekend of my birthday again.
Mike Cheyne
Formerly U of Minnesota
"You killed HSAPQ"--Matt Bollinger
Formerly U of Minnesota
"You killed HSAPQ"--Matt Bollinger
Re: 2019 NASAT: June 22 & 23
It seems to me that talk about "IQBT" as if it is some large organizational apparatus is misleading, since the very substance of this post suggests it consists of "pretty much just you", and your "connections" extend only to the local circuit in which you are embedded. If these local interpersonal connections are so essential to the functioning of IQBT, then it doesn't seem that IQBT isn't an organization suited to running a major national tournament. To be such an organization, IQBT will need to engage substantial outside help (much as every national tournament with a rotating site does on a yearly basis).AKKOLADE wrote: ↑Mon Dec 03, 2018 6:53 pm A belated reply to the above: we're aware of the relative difficulties of traveling into Lexington, Kentucky, but that is where IQBT is base. A lot of our connections for local staff and room reservations are dependent on hosting in Lexington. Additionally, one of the co-owners would also be unable to travel out of town the weekend of NASAT due to professional obligations, which would cut the amount of in-house support staff for the tournament down by at least two people.
It is perfectly fine to have a shell organization because doing so makes certain things easier, but to then talk about this shell organization as if it is a deliberative body rather than just a person is liable to cause confusion. If you would like IQBT to be treated as a fully functioning quizbowl organization instead of a shell organization to make your running of NASAT more expedient, you'll need to start having IQBT function like one, and that includes not being bound to the Lexington area.
Jacob R., ex-Chicago
Re: 2019 NASAT: June 22 & 23
IQBT does include people other than myself - Nicole is an equal partner and is an important part of the organization's operations.vinteuil wrote: ↑Mon Dec 03, 2018 7:36 pmIt seems to me that talk about "IQBT" as if it is some large organizational apparatus is misleading, since the very substance of this post suggests it consists of "pretty much just you", and your "connections" extend only to the local circuit in which you are embedded. If these local interpersonal connections are so essential to the functioning of IQBT, then it doesn't seem that IQBT isn't an organization suited to running a major national tournament. To be such an organization, IQBT will need to engage substantial outside help (much as every national tournament with a rotating site does on a yearly basis).AKKOLADE wrote: ↑Mon Dec 03, 2018 6:53 pm A belated reply to the above: we're aware of the relative difficulties of traveling into Lexington, Kentucky, but that is where IQBT is base. A lot of our connections for local staff and room reservations are dependent on hosting in Lexington. Additionally, one of the co-owners would also be unable to travel out of town the weekend of NASAT due to professional obligations, which would cut the amount of in-house support staff for the tournament down by at least two people.
It is perfectly fine to have a shell organization because doing so makes certain things easier, but to then talk about this shell organization as if it is a deliberative body rather than just a person is liable to cause confusion. If you would like IQBT to be treated as a fully functioning quizbowl organization instead of a shell organization to make your running of NASAT more expedient, you'll need to start having IQBT function like one, and that includes not being bound to the Lexington area.
As an organization that's existed for less than a year, IQBT's funding is not comparable to other organizations that run national championships, and as such being frugal in things like expenditures related to staffers is a reality that we have to work with. Having local staffers helps keep costs down, just like it does for other nationals.
Fred Morlan
University of Kentucky CoP, 2017
International Quiz Bowl Tournaments, CEO, co-owner
former PACE member, president, etc.
former hsqbrank manager, former NAQT writer & subject editor, former hsqb Administrator/Chief Administrator
University of Kentucky CoP, 2017
International Quiz Bowl Tournaments, CEO, co-owner
former PACE member, president, etc.
former hsqbrank manager, former NAQT writer & subject editor, former hsqb Administrator/Chief Administrator
- i never see pigeons in wheeling
- Rikku
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Re: 2019 NASAT: June 22 & 23
Fred, this is really a very understandable position and dilemma to be in, but as someone who inherited the mantle of a national tournament whose job it is to be relatively convenient for every state, you (and Nicole) may have to give more leeway to the needs of the teams. Lexington is, no offense, that bad of a location to host a national (yes, I know the high school debate Tournament of Champions is also held at UK, but the resources available to the teams that attend that are really not comparable to a bunch of students going on their own). Most of the California A team this year was forced to take a red-eye to CVG and then a 1.5 hour Uber to arrive in the morning in time for the opening meeting. Max Shatan and others have related their stories of extreme cost and inconvenience, which, for many top high schoolers, is tacked on to the cost/inconvenience of attending HSNCT and NSC. Choosing another location might enable more teams to get there, pay out, and cover the additional costs associated with that move (also, there are plenty of local staffers in at least one of the places I know you're considering). You both are put into a difficult position here, and I respect that, but many teams that could otherwise attend are put into a difficult position if you choose Lexington.AKKOLADE wrote: ↑Mon Dec 03, 2018 10:25 pmIQBT does include people other than myself - Nicole is an equal partner and is an important part of the organization's operations.vinteuil wrote: ↑Mon Dec 03, 2018 7:36 pmIt seems to me that talk about "IQBT" as if it is some large organizational apparatus is misleading, since the very substance of this post suggests it consists of "pretty much just you", and your "connections" extend only to the local circuit in which you are embedded. If these local interpersonal connections are so essential to the functioning of IQBT, then it doesn't seem that IQBT isn't an organization suited to running a major national tournament. To be such an organization, IQBT will need to engage substantial outside help (much as every national tournament with a rotating site does on a yearly basis).AKKOLADE wrote: ↑Mon Dec 03, 2018 6:53 pm A belated reply to the above: we're aware of the relative difficulties of traveling into Lexington, Kentucky, but that is where IQBT is base. A lot of our connections for local staff and room reservations are dependent on hosting in Lexington. Additionally, one of the co-owners would also be unable to travel out of town the weekend of NASAT due to professional obligations, which would cut the amount of in-house support staff for the tournament down by at least two people.
It is perfectly fine to have a shell organization because doing so makes certain things easier, but to then talk about this shell organization as if it is a deliberative body rather than just a person is liable to cause confusion. If you would like IQBT to be treated as a fully functioning quizbowl organization instead of a shell organization to make your running of NASAT more expedient, you'll need to start having IQBT function like one, and that includes not being bound to the Lexington area.
As an organization that's existed for less than a year, IQBT's funding is not comparable to other organizations that run national championships, and as such being frugal in things like expenditures related to staffers is a reality that we have to work with. Having local staffers helps keep costs down, just like it does for other nationals.
Ankit
Cal '16
Bellarmine College Preparatory '12
Cal '16
Bellarmine College Preparatory '12
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Re: 2019 NASAT: June 22 & 23
I think you're mixing it up with Richard Yu's birthday
Andrew Wang
Illinois 2016
Illinois 2016
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Re: 2019 NASAT: June 22 & 23
Yeah Kentucky actually seems like it'd have fewer local staffers than other sites.
Jakob M. (they/them)
Michigan State '21, Indiana '2?
"No one has ever organized a greater effort to get people interested in pretending to play quiz bowl"
-Ankit Aggarwal
Michigan State '21, Indiana '2?
"No one has ever organized a greater effort to get people interested in pretending to play quiz bowl"
-Ankit Aggarwal
Re: 2019 NASAT: June 22 & 23
Seeing as 2017 NASAT had a public call for staffers less than a month from the tournament, I'd say you're probably right. NASAT's field size, being comparable to a regular season tournament in many high school circuits, probably should not necessitate an open call for staffers to come from several hundred miles away.An Economic Ignoramus wrote: ↑Tue Dec 04, 2018 11:06 am Yeah Kentucky actually seems like it'd have fewer local staffers than other sites.
Conor Thompson (he/it)
Bangor High School '16
University of Michigan '20
Iowa State University '25
Tournament Format Database
Bangor High School '16
University of Michigan '20
Iowa State University '25
Tournament Format Database
Re: 2019 NASAT: June 22 & 23
Offering a decently-sized discount to organizations that can bring staffers, ideally one or more of the best staffers in their state, could help alleviate some of that need.
David Dennis
Middle School Choir Director
District Scholar Bowl Coach
Washington, MO
Murray State University, 2001
Breckinridge County High School, KY 1996
Middle School Choir Director
District Scholar Bowl Coach
Washington, MO
Murray State University, 2001
Breckinridge County High School, KY 1996
Re: 2019 NASAT: June 22 & 23
Lexington has a great pool of staffers within driving distance due to its location, which is important for keeping costs down. Whether the pool is greater elsewhere is debatable, but it isn't a strong argument against Lexington because its qualified staffer pool is more than enough to run NASAT.
Cody Voight, VCU ’14.
Re: 2019 NASAT: June 22 & 23
As someone very much involved in running NASAT in 2016 and 2017, the factors in choosing a location for NASAT are:
-the organization putting NASAT on is not flush with cash
-you need an university that is willing and able to reserve a fair share of rooms
-there is a difficulty in obtaining staffers due to the fatigue and cost of being the last national of the year. Note that people who staffed almost every NAQT event and PACE did not staff NASAT, not that I blame them, because of the challenge in travel and the cost.
So basically we're in a tight spot--not everyone wants to host NASAT, not everyone can reserve rooms, we didn't have the money to reserve hotels (which would also make costs go up), and you have to be fairly located to staffers.
This is why NASAT has been run at places like Vanderbilt, Ohio State, and Kentucky.
Lexington is not that bad in terms of staffers. Kentucky has provided a fair share of staffers and we have had people come on down from places like Richmond, Maryland, and Columbus.
I'm sure there are more convenient locations for teams, but picking a convenient location and then having available space and money to afford such space is another story.
-the organization putting NASAT on is not flush with cash
-you need an university that is willing and able to reserve a fair share of rooms
-there is a difficulty in obtaining staffers due to the fatigue and cost of being the last national of the year. Note that people who staffed almost every NAQT event and PACE did not staff NASAT, not that I blame them, because of the challenge in travel and the cost.
So basically we're in a tight spot--not everyone wants to host NASAT, not everyone can reserve rooms, we didn't have the money to reserve hotels (which would also make costs go up), and you have to be fairly located to staffers.
This is why NASAT has been run at places like Vanderbilt, Ohio State, and Kentucky.
Lexington is not that bad in terms of staffers. Kentucky has provided a fair share of staffers and we have had people come on down from places like Richmond, Maryland, and Columbus.
I'm sure there are more convenient locations for teams, but picking a convenient location and then having available space and money to afford such space is another story.
Mike Cheyne
Formerly U of Minnesota
"You killed HSAPQ"--Matt Bollinger
Formerly U of Minnesota
"You killed HSAPQ"--Matt Bollinger
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- Rikku
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Re: 2019 NASAT: June 22 & 23
Case Western Reserve ticks many of those boxes, and is easier to get to both in terms of flights and ground transportation from the airport.
I don't speak for the CWRU team, of course, but I would happy to initiate a conversation if there's interest. I also don't speak for anyone other than myself regarding staffing, but I would be willing to initiate many conversations with active Ohioans in that regard.
I don't speak for the CWRU team, of course, but I would happy to initiate a conversation if there's interest. I also don't speak for anyone other than myself regarding staffing, but I would be willing to initiate many conversations with active Ohioans in that regard.
Greg Bossick
Director, Mahoning Quizbowl League (2004-2011, 2013-present)
Director, NAQT Ohio Small School State Championship (2018-present)
Executive Director, Ohio Academic Competition (2013-2016)
Director, Mahoning Quizbowl League (2004-2011, 2013-present)
Director, NAQT Ohio Small School State Championship (2018-present)
Executive Director, Ohio Academic Competition (2013-2016)
- rahulkeyal
- Wakka
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Re: 2019 NASAT: June 22 & 23
One thing I would urge IQBT to consider is increasing the cost of registration to provide funding for a more convenient location for teams. Speaking from personal experience (I chose not to attend NASAT 2017 because it was prohibitively expensive), I know West Coast teams, and likely other areas, would benefit (i.e pay less and have an easier time traveling) with an increased registration cost and a more convenient host that would be easier to drive/fly to.
Rahul Keyal
Berkeley '21
Member, ACF
Berkeley '21
Member, ACF