What do you think about this?

[KErnst]

Before proceeding anyfurther with this idea I wanted to run it by you guys and gals. What would everyone think of having a Minnesota State Discussants Invitational. Where only a selected few discussants from around the state would be given the right and privilage to compete.

In going about this process there would have to be people from each region of the state nominating certain discussants for this honor. Trying to keep the amount of people from each portion fairly equal. Also, keeping in mind which classes that the student comes from, trying to balance the two.

Judging would be done by again a few well qualified and former discussants. With a different format then normal meets. An honor final for those that did not get in the top 8, this honor final would preceed the final so that everyone gets a chance to watch both of them.

Any suggestions, ideas, thoughts on this, is it or is it not a good idea, and would anybody be willing to be involved in this process? Any insight would be much appreciated!

[DCdisco]

here's my two cents:

I think that this is one of those ideas that sounds incredibly awesome in theory, but in practice is complicated and messy.

my reasoning:

Discussion is an incredibly hard category to do this with. EVERYTHING CHANGES YEARLY. Someone that has great success the year before is then performing poorly the next year. We see it all the time. Judging styles change from year to year with the topic. There's a new crop of people every year. With what you're proposing, this would pretty much exclude first-years........now, while some may say that that is OK, that the experienced participants know what's going on, never underestimate the power of a novii. I have personal experience with this, with me being the novii. Anyone that tries can be good at discussion. It takes a certain knack. I also do not like the idea of a tournament that extends invitations to those that have had success in the past. I mean, heck, look at my section, 2AA. Heck, two years ago, we had all three of our qualifiers placing in finals. For the rest of us, it was stiff competition, believe me. I missed making finals by .05 on reciprocals.....I'm still bitter about it :evil: But at the same time, I can see why this type of tournament would be sweet. Maybe it would be best if it was held before the Easter season, so its late in the season, the novii have had their chances to (at least start to) shine, and more people would be allowed to get into that pool of potential invitees. Maybe you'd want to go over to the debate website (hsdebate.com --the Minnesota forum) and find out how the rouund robin extemp tourney that was held last year, was put together. It was the same type of idea.....but I know it was like, way late in the season.

Anyways.......that's all from me.

But thanks for breathin' some life back into the forum, Kyle! :lol:

[Potsie]

I agree with Laura. I believe also that a meet later in the seaon would be much better competition than one in the beginning of the season. We all know a lot more about the topic come April. It would be a fun thing to do, if I got invited or course. It would also be a great opportunity for disscussion competitors to come and watch the top people one more time other than state and get a sense of what discussion is like.

I do really like the idea!

I also would like to say that I am excited about my last season of discussion. I feel a lot of pressure to do well, but I am looking forward to using my experience in rounds and just have some fun. Jon got a new suit! LOL. Anyway, I hope to see some people at the Apple Valley meet in February.

[KErnst]

Thank you for the insight. Luara I completely agree that it needs to be done in the Easter season, before state and after sections, I know that is a short window of time to do it but I think it would be a great time to do it seeing as if I wre still in discussion I would love to have chance to compete against excellent discussants as a final pratice for the state meet. I just started putting together a list of people that would definiatly be qualifed to praticipate. Luara you had another good point and that was the novice, I completely agree, my first year I made it to state, and I am still bitter about it 9th Place-****. But back to the point it is key I think to have people that either "came out of nowhere" or just started - in an event like this.
Thanks again, any more ideas, I am going to put somemore thought into it before I decide whether of not it will work! Spread the word!

[*Ron-Marq*]

I think this is a great idea, especially for people who do not get to go to a lot of cities tournaments; it’s a great way to see the competition for state. One thing, how and who decides who gets invited?

[KErnst]

I was thinking of using this forum as the main outlet of communication.

Who gets invited? - this was what I was thinking, suggestions are certainly appreciated!
1) Any returning state medalists will get invited
2) People who show consistent ability as "top" discussants in there respective areas. For instance, Laura brought up novices, well the easiest thing to do is contact a coach in an area of the State and ask them, who is doing well this year?
3) People that made it to the state tournament will get consideration, but not necessarily get invited. As we all know anyone who makes it to state is a quality discussant, but some people just simply get screwed or have a bad round. Example from Class A last year was Liza Jordan from Park Rapids, she went 2nd and 3rd at state the previous two years and was certainly one of the top 3 discussants in class A this year and didn't advance her senior year to state, we have all seen things like this before.

Who's decides?
Another important question, I think it would be wise to have a committee of people strating with some of the graduates on this board to come up with a list of names that each person considers deserving. Then for us to talk about each and decide on a final 18-24 people. I think more then that would be going a bit far.

Keep the thoughts coming, I'm enjoying the feedback!!!

[DCdisco]

I completely agree that it needs to be done in the Easter season, before state and after sections


it would have to be before both. you can't do it after sections, because we'd already know who's going to state and who's season is already over.

[DBrennan]

I'm sorry, but this would never work or fly.

1) There is no open weekend or time before sections/state to do this.
2) A school would have to host it, then there would need to be entry fees and coaches approval.
3) There aren't enough talented discussion judges who would be free at one time.
4) There really aren't 24 great discussant that you can name, it would basicly be State from last year minus the grads.

This kind of a thing is too hard for students to put together and too time consuming for a coach. But hey, if you can pull it off, more power to you.

[DCdisco]

I'm sorry, but this would never work or fly.

1) There is no open weekend or time before sections/state to do this.
2) A school would have to host it, then there would need to be entry fees and coaches approval.
3) There aren't enough talented discussion judges who would be free at one time.
4) There really aren't 24 great discussant that you can name, it would basicly be State from last year minus the grads.

This kind of a thing is too hard for students to put together and too time consuming for a coach. But hey, if you can pull it off, more power to you.

1.) There doesn't have to be an open weekend. Its not like every tournament in the state is run on "ok, nobody else is having a tourney, so i'll have mine at this time". You just have to pick a date and run with it. That's all there is to it.

2.) Entry fees and coaches' approval are easily attained.

3.) Disco judges can be attained more easily than you think. We wouldn't need that many. Off the top of my head i can name at least half dozen that would do it.

4.) Obviously, it took some talent to get to state. I haven't sat down to calculate it out......but those kids plus how many. You don't have to win lots of tourneys to be a good discussant. Plus, everyone's style is slightly different. Someone who consistently makes finals is a good bet.


It's not impossible. It would just take some planning. And it sounds like Kyle here is willing to take it on, since he came up with the idea. And its not like nobody would help him either. You don't have to, but there are others that would be more than willing.

[KErnst]

Thank you all for your help!

I have decided, because of the success of these posts I will put it on.
Luara thank you for all the suggestions and input, I appreciate it!

Here is my Extremely Tentative Outline
The meet will be In March before Sections I was thinking of Tuesday, March 8th as a good date. I checked CTAM and no tournaments are on that date. Kids will have to take off school and things like that but one or two days of school is nothing. Most of the people in speech I know are smart and will make up the work in no time.

Entry Fees - I am not going to charge a team or student money for this. Maybe I'm an idiot but this is a type of reward for the student they shouldn't have to pay for anything, except food and transportation and I think that is enough. At the tournament we will have some food/beverage and that money should pay for the tournament any left over money will be donated to a speech team. This isn't to make money its to give kids an opportunity to further their talents and show off for once, since discussion isn't exactly the most exciting thing for some people.

Location is going to be my only issue. I live in Hermantown near Duluth so any local school is easy for me, but I don't know how many students could make the travel. - this will be worked out soon.

Judges - I already have a list of six people I can get that live here, so that won't be a problem. If anybody on this board that has graduated wants to judge that would be great.

Judges will not be paid much. The people I know up here would all do it for free so I will see what I can do on that issue.

Suggestions would be great on anymatter but especially size.
I was thinking of 18 kids with two or three rounds of 6 and then Honor Final and Championship Final.

Anyother suggestions and concerns would be appreciated!

[Potsie]

Good date for this thing, I know that our school is on break then and thus easy to get out, so if that is the case other schools might have the same schedule.

You said one or two days, the tournament is only one day, correct?

Sounds interesting, I hope I do well enough this year to be invited! Even so..it is a great opportunity to go and watch some wonderful discussiion rounds.

[KErnst]

The tournament would be one day but It probably would start in the afternoon so if people had school the next day they might miss.
I already have a list of people who will be invited so I need suggestions on names from everybody, even if your still in high school. I will finish up The Invitational letter and get it out to the people who are for sures, probably after the new year.

Please PM me or email me at ernstg@mchsi.com with any names.

[SKOlson]

March 8th? You all would have to pay tribute to me then, cuz its my birthday.

[Ashley*MHS*]

Hey,

do I get invited? I was State Champion ya know..... :D

P.S. Who is going to be at the Schwann's Tournament in January? I'll be back judging again.

Ashley

[*Ron-Marq*]

I am so going to the Schwann's tournament this year, and I will protest if Ashley does not get an invite :wink:

[JohnsRUs]

Hey,

do I get invited? I was State Champion ya know..... :D

Ashley


I'm so glad you don't just throw around the fact that you won state in casual convorsation. :roll:


j/k, i'd totally do it too.

Do i get an invite, I was...6th place state finalist you know....


that suddenly seems so weak. :oops:

[SKOlson]

Do I get an invite? I was state something.... I can't remember.... In fact my disco memories are all a drunken blur... all I remember is dressing up like a chick for DB...

[*Ron-Marq*]

John and Sean are both hella legit, I can vouch AND I will protest for their invites also :wink:

[DCdisco]

I'm thinking that this would not be an alum tourney, since we'd be gearing up for sections and state, and ya'll wouldn't want to have to research for one meet......

i say, all of you should come judge.

[KErnst]

Yes judges would help!!!
Maybe an alum meet is in the future, but not this year.

[DBrennan]

Yeah, I remember when I came up with the idea for a summer alum tournament. Too bad it just didn't come together.

And I get an invite, since I taught ALL OF YOU!!! That, or I'll just use my God-like Disco powers to smite you all!

[Potsie]

It would be great to have some of the past disco people back to judge!

[KErnst]

Since It seems that alot of people want to know how's getting invited I might as well post the people who will for sure get invites:

Jonathon Podvin, SCA
Aaron Marquette, ME
Erik Davis, Edina
Lillian Buchhalter, Mayo
Tyler Westfield, Walker
Andy Kerkow, L-H
Amanda Korynta, D-G-F

These of course are the people that have finaled at state and are returning, Al Wepsala from Walker is moving to Ex. Speaking this year so he will not be avialable to compete. Like I said I need names and schools of people that you would like to be considered. There are other people I have in mind also but final decisions on those people will be made at a later date when I have a full roster. As to who decides, I'm going to be running it so invitations will be sent out by myself, but I will speak with each of you that are interested to make final decisions. It would be stupid of me to make a decision about someone without information on them. And it is impossible for just one person to know all of the best discussants in the state by him or herself.

John wants to judge, anyother's?

Please Email me at ernstg@mchsi.com - Thanks for any help!!!

[Ashley*MHS*]

I already asked to be a judge :(

Ashley

[wgtndisco]

Hey, long time since I hit this thing up and it seems that it's alive and well again. It's nice to hear from everybody again. I'd love to judge, and while I didn't go to state, the reference I can give is being screwed out of the class 2AA section final last year. I'll vent on that another time. Anyway, I will have a full season on judging under my belt by then. It would be great to see everyone again.