Sunday, March 30, 2008

NPDA, the saga continues....

It seems there was an appeal of the late round last night.... so, they're already starting late.

I feel bad for those folks out in Colorado... I'm sure the appeals are probably valid appeals --- but, the whole tournament is getting bogged down with them.

I have lots of friends out there, just wanting to get on with it. The build-up of nervous energy is really draining.... the students get their adrenaline going and it doesn't turn off when there is a delay.

Even though some people put NPTE and NPDA in some kind of bizarre competition -- I don't see it that way... I wanted them to have a good tournament. I wanted my coach and competitor friends to enjoy a smoothly run tournament and to have fun together. As it is, I suppose they have plenty of time to hang out and talk -- but, the point is to be debating... they can talk later.

So -- I wish y'all good luck out there --- and I hope it gets moving soon.

Updated to add... postings are supposed to be ready at 10:00.... 90 minutes late, ouch -- that is a hard way to start the day.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Sadly, I see your boy lost this morning - so no tattoo for you!

Inside the Philosophy Factory said...

Maybe I'll get it after I defend my dissertation....

I'd love to know what happened in his round... good teams going out too early was the main reason NPTE does double elims....

Unknown said...

I agree that good teams dropping early through random fluke is a HUGE problem at NPDA. It is too often caused by a resolution that turns out to be massively skewed, or a really lopsided draw on the judging panel. (Not to mention factors like which teams have enough extra support staff to take care of obtaining extra food to sustain debaters through unplanned delays!) All reasons that are at least partially addressed by MJP and double elims, I agree.