Should the NFL National Tournament open to bids like the TOC

[IERULZ]

I just read that numerous top south florida interpers were screwed during the Panther Districts and will not be attending Nationals. One example is Kelly Bahlke did not qualify for Nationals despite an incredible DI season that recently culminated with 1st place at Harvard! Regardless of how Kelly must be feeling, the National Tournament will be greatly diminished by her absence.

I want to propose that the NFL institute a program of "bids" like they use for the TOC to be awarded to finalists at certain major national tournaments. Two bids would qualify you for the National Tournament. This would not replace the District Tournament system, but would supplement it to assure that one bad judge at districts doesn't ruin an otherwise world class season. These bid qualifiers could be included above and beyond the existing district allotments, an extra 40 - 50 participants will not overload the tournament. This would reward top competitors for excellence during the season? This would also help assure that the best competitors are at the National Tournament.

Who ever wins the DI event at Nationals this year should have an asterix put after their name because they will have won without beating the top DIer in the country. The NFL can help guarentee this doesn't happen by a small revision in the qualifying rules.

Kelly, if you read this, I only had the pleasure of watching you perform once this year but it was one of the most awsone performances that I have ever seen. It is such a shame that judges screw you when they don't know what they are doing or, even worse, when they do. You will be missed at Nationals.

[Kelly B]

Hey you! It's kel. I just read your comment and thank you! That's the nicest thing anybody's said about me =). Dude, having a TOC-bid system would be totally awesome. I always thought interp should get a TOC anyway. That'd be so great! And it'd have, like, some of those awesome college events like After Dinner Speaking.

Anyway, I'm sorry but I'm afraid I dont' recognize your username. Can I ask who this is?
God bless,
yours always,
kel

[jman255]

now, i don't know kelly personally, but i have seen her perform. her piece is one of the best DIs i've seen. but like i said, a tournament's a tournament. i agree with an interp TOCs, but i firmly believe that the NFL national tournament should be kept strictly to district qualifiers.

I think that is well put. If there were a interp TOC bid, I think that it would be harder to do well in it than it would at Nationals. Sure, you'll have a lot of the same people in outrounds, but think a second...There is a lot of poo at Nationals...If all the not so good people from not so great districts were weeded out, you would have a true super tournament.

Sorry if that doesn't make much sense...it makes sense to me at least :(

[Mfried21]

I agree with IERULZ in that there should be some sort of bid system, but I also think that the format for quallifying for nationals needs to be altered. As one who has gotten screwed 3 times over at the district qualls by a lone judge in finals, I think that ones qualification for nationals should not be reliant upon one tournament. I think it should be more like it is on the college circuit, where you qualify by placing at certain tournaments, be it national or local. This way, you ensure that less people get screwed, and the tournament is as good as it can possibly be.

[megz642]

what's your name? just curious because I'm an MFried too (Megan Friedman). small world.

[Mfried21]

Hah, small world....Matt Friedman..from New Jersey