Tournament of Coaches and Graduates

[Laxgoalie]

So, Mauldin High School in South Carolina is looking into hosting a tournament where the competitors are not the high school students, but are instead coaches and former competitors. The judges, on the other hand, will be the students. Right now, this idea is in development, but we want to see if there is any interest out there. I know a lot of people miss competing, and college competition isn't an option for all of them. Also, we know students often complain about judging and bad judging from inexperienced parents. This is their chance to prove otherwise. If anyone has any interest in attending, or possibly attending, let me know!

[tgjdlc]

Bahahaha. I have a feeling some 3P coaches would be interested in this.

but south carolina may be out of the way. haha

[Laxgoalie]

I'm certain they would be. It would be amazing if they would come. I don't know if enough people from around the area are ever on this site to try this. But one can dream.

[JjulianSr]

The Washington Debate Coalition did this for Policy Debate a few years ago as a fundraiser. As a fundraising activity it didn't have a lot of success. But as a fun tournament concept, it was a blast. They allowed teams to be composed of any pairing: coach and student, former and current student, or even parent/child. And we had some alumni teams as well. My partner last debated in 1967. And I hadn't since 1992. It was fun even seeing the contrast in our styles within our own pairing (he asked me what a stock issue was at our first practice). The tournament also allowed "challenge matches" - each team could call out one specific opponent they wanted to face during prelims, and the tournament ensured that pairing would happen (more or less). And the student judges loved it, too.

If I lived closer, I'd absolutely come and play. I wish more schools would do something like this, to encourage links back to the alumni from their team.

Maybe the NFL would consider an exhibition match or two on registration day between NFL Alums? It would be a nice distraction for the kids waiting for their coaches to clear registration, and a compliment to the vendor expo. Maybe a vendor would be interested in sponsoring it? Just a thought.

Cheers,

Coach J