TOC certifications....

[ce.extemper]

As my coach and I were looking up what it takes to compete in the TOC for PF, we discovered that our school was one of the ones that can count as a qualifier. We found this to be interesting seeing as we never "applied" or did anything of this nature nor were we even notified. My question is how do schools end up as TOC-approved and what kind of requirements are there?
Thanks.

[Cherian]

Theoretically, one need not apply to receive a TOC bid but I find it hard to believe that the committee would not consult with a tournament director. Which tournament are we talking about here?

As a general answer to your question, there aren't hard and fast criterion for a TOC bid but the committee considers the overall quality of the tournament, the size of the tournament, the geographic diversity of the tournament, and any number of other intangible factors.

[ce.extemper]

The tournament in question is a Finals bid for Cheyenne East. Looking at those overall factors, I would think that reflects well on us though

[Jacobi]

Yes - it is a finals bid level. This was probably suggested -- as Cherian said -- by one of the TOC PF Committee members because your tournament serves a region that is likely underrepresented in the so-called "national circuit." TOC founder and host Dr. J.W. Patterson at the University of Kentucky is really big on urging his committees to be as inclusive and diverse across the country as possible.

[CarolGreen]

As the member of the committee who recommended Cheyenne East, I concur with the regional diversity as one of the primary reasons for the recommendation. I can tell you that as a UWyo alum and knowing a number of coaches in the local community that Cheyenne East was one of the first tournaments I could think of in the area that would attract strong regional competition in a fairly accessible city.

The Public Forum TOC committee also recognized that as a newer TOC event, we might not know of all of the strongest regional tournaments. You will also notice there are ways for unnamed tournaments to certify a semifinals or quarterfinals bid by having a number of entires and a number of schools and/or states registered in the event. So should Cheyenne East meet those numbers, the bid numbers can be increased.

[ce.extemper]

Oh ok, I see :) I'll tell my coach this when I have class with him on Monday and I'm sure he'll be very glad to hear this news. Thanks for the help everybody