Southeast Sectionals

[epeemike81]

Gotcha, I will take credit for that. I see so many posts how great events are in the NE and lousy they are 'in the south' and pretty sick of it so yes I will take shots when and where I can.

I find it amusing that you think a thread including discussion of the delays at your sectionals is somewhere you can take shots at us...

for the record: there were no delays at our sectionals.

-m

[DJ Apostrophe]

Dave,

I have nothing against your awards, I (like Brad and many others I'm sure) appreciate originality in awards, that definitely makes the event more fun, and FIE jackets? Even better!

I've never taken any shots at any events, particularly 'southern' events. Do you know why? Because I've never been to one. Almost had the chance to go to one once when I was visiting my mother who moved to SC a few years ago, but unfortunately the epee was on the wrong day...

Basically, from where I sit, I try to run a great event, and everyone has told me that I have... If people have suggestions for how I can do it better, I'm all for it... I don't need to make my events better by taking shots at others... and honestly, I don't think you need to either.

-w

[hello?]

Yes, Wayne, NAS sectional championship, as usual, was run extremely well. I have no idea what the awards were (obviously I did not get one!), but I was glad to pay $40 for the abundance of referees (in epee -- two on each strip at all times so both fencers got their weapons tested simultaneously!!! I have yet to see that at any tournament!), the quality of the venue, the two free Diet Cokes that one of the event managers got for me...Good job. Again, as usual.

[dekko]

Dave,

I have nothing against your awards, I (like Brad and many others I'm sure) appreciate originality in awards, that definitely makes the event more fun, and FIE jackets? Even better!

I've never taken any shots at any events, particularly 'southern' events. Do you know why? Because I've never been to one. Almost had the chance to go to one once when I was visiting my mother who moved to SC a few years ago, but unfortunately the epee was on the wrong day...

Basically, from where I sit, I try to run a great event, and everyone has told me that I have... If people have suggestions for how I can do it better, I'm all for it... I don't need to make my events better by taking shots at others... and honestly, I don't think you need to either.

-w

Like I said before, no problem. As for fencing in an event in this area, let me know next time you are around and I will make sure an epee event is on the day when you are here.

As mentioned the delays were from not enough refs. This was not due to lack of planning or way too many fencers, plans were made but refs didn't show and it was too late to get more. We made due as best we could but delays were going to happen.

As for shots, lighten up francis! If I hear about award problems at events in that neck of the woods, maybe it should be looked at and see what can be done. I still maintain it does seem silly to charge that much and give out such a blah, nothing special award. These kinds of awards are good for club events not sectional championships. This should not be that big a stretch.

[afc fencer]

My only complaint is that the strips were awful. When an event is not held in a gym there should really be some kind of padding. My ankles are killing me today.

[DJ Apostrophe]

I'm up for a discussion here.

What in your mind makes an acceptable award for sectional championships?

I'd like to hear it.

-w

[hello?]

What "award problems" in this neck of the woods? I live here and have never heard anybody complain...

[DJ Apostrophe]

My only complaint is that the strips were awful. When an event is not held in a gym there should really be some kind of padding. My ankles are killing me today.

What kind of venue did you have?

What "award problems" in this neck of the woods? I live here and have never heard anybody complain...

No one has complained to me about our awards, but dekko seems to think that our awards are inappropriate for a sectional event. I'm curious as to what (and why) he thinks are appropriate.

-w

[dekko]

What "award problems" in this neck of the woods? I live here and have never heard anybody complain...

Since it matters, I have heard/read 2 in the last 24 hours. After none for a long time, that's a bunch in a short time.

[DJ Apostrophe]

Since it matters, I have heard/read 2 in the last 24 hours. After none for a long time, that's a bunch in a short time.

You've really only heard one. Brad's complaint was about the Mid Atlantic Section. Lumping Brad's complaint in with your referees has just as much weight as lumping someone from the Rocky Mountain Section's complaints in with your referee's, they're different sections.

Also, your referee didn't see this years awards.

-w

[dekko]

You've really only heard one. Brad's complaint was about the Mid Atlantic Section. Lumping Brad's complaint in with your referees has just as much weight as lumping someone from the Rocky Mountain Section's complaints in with your referees, they're different sections.

Also, your referee didn't see this years awards.

-w

I'll take your word for it as I don't know and really don't care. And, yes I am lumping the two award complaints from two of the section north of the one I am in and mentioning both as one. As I don't know or care where the line is, it's more fun this way.

Either way, this must be a real hot button topic with someone if a simple comment about lousy awards could spark such a reaction. Either A, there is a real problem and point of heated discussion behind the scenes for those both north and east of our happy little section here. Or B, the extreme arrogance of those in the sections north and east of this one refuse to believe or accept that those in the 'sunny south' could possibly do anything fencing related better than anyone in the northern sections.

Oh well, I go back to, if the awards were better for either sectionals and even came close to rivaling those given at the SE sectionals, this wouldn't even be a topic.

As for someone elses question about the fencing surface, there were metal strips with some 'padding' but the entire floor was concrete. On a side note, they had a cow pinning event the weekend before in the same room. I doubt there were many who came to both events. Sometimes the jokes write themselves!

[afc fencer]

What kind of venue did you have?

The floor was concrete like what most convention centers have.

[DJ Apostrophe]

I'll take your word for it as I don't know and really don't care. And, yes I am lumping the two award complaints from two of the section north of the one I am in and mentioning both as one. As I don't know or care where the line is, it's more fun this way.

Either way, this must be a real hot button topic with someone if a simple comment about lousy awards could spark such a reaction. Either A, there is a real problem and point of heated discussion behind the scenes for those both north and east of our happy little section here. Or B, the extreme arrogance of those in the sections north and east of this one refuse to believe or accept that those in the 'sunny south' could possibly do anything fencing related better than anyone in the northern sections.

It isn't arrogance, there hasn't been a single complaint to me about the awards... I'm just always looking to make tournaments better. I'm open to any discussion on how to make them better.

So far, the only thing I know about the awards from your event is that D+F+P is trying to sell his, and if I wanted one of those, I could buy it for $15 on ebay.

-w

[Craig]

What kind of venue did you have?

The venue had a concrete floor with the strips taped directly to the floor. (No carpeting or other padding laid down underneath.)

Sectionals last year in B-ham was the same setup.

Craig

[fluidfencer]

The floor was concrete like what most convention centers have.

Just a suggestion for future Sectionals...

We had some of our own pads when Sectionals were in Birmingham last year. Seems like we were short on a few strips and got some cheap, thin carpet padding for the rest. It gets torn up so the padding is not reusable (our pads were bought from Chattanooga/Baylor years ago and have held up well). We were concerned about injury from falling, not as much about knee wear and tear.

From what I saw Saturday, seems like Bill did a good job organizing Sectionals again.

I was surprised that Sectionals last year lost over $3,000. The venue was a little expensive though. It would be interesting to see a breakdown of financials for the last several years. That might be hard to compare, since the venue is sometimes free. Did I hear correctly that the Section had a bunch of cash in the bank... something like $60,000? That's great, of course, but more than I would have thought.

Off to South Carolina next year!

[bbower]

Either way, this must be a real hot button topic with someone if a simple comment about lousy awards could spark such a reaction. Either A, there is a real problem and point of heated discussion behind the scenes for those both north and east of our happy little section here. Or B, the extreme arrogance of those in the sections north and east of this one refuse to believe or accept that those in the 'sunny south' could possibly do anything fencing related better than anyone in the northern sections.

Or C, you made an incorrect statement regarding the medals given out at NAS Sectionals, and that statement was simply corrected. I fail to see any arrogance in Wayne's posts. I see quite a bit in yours.

[dekko]

Or C, you made an incorrect statement regarding the medals given out at NAS Sectionals, and that statement was simply corrected. I fail to see any arrogance in Wayne's posts. I see quite a bit in yours.

I got you. First off, I didn't make the comment about medals but I did report the comment about plaques. Second, I haven't even begun to get arrogant yet, trust me, you would know and it would be obvious.

I am sure Wayne does a good job and true with all section and division officers, should be comended for their work. I heard a comment about how neat the awards were at the SE sectionals were and how much better they were that the north atlantic(? correct name not sure). This is someone not new to that section who was reffing at our event and said he wished his section had such neat awards and how these were much better, in his estimation. That's it.

I had nothing to do with buying thes awards, that was all Bill and has been for a long time in the SE. Bill has done lots of good things for this event since taking over the section 5(?) years ago. Making sure these awards have been near the top of his list. Trying to find all the traveling awards is important to him and having the U19MS trophy named for Stas is a great move and ensure he is positively remembered for a long time.

Just curious, what were the awards this year?

Lastly, the $15 item won by DFP seems to still be worth more than the 1st place item given out at NA sectionals. Interesting.

[LeftHanded]

Best part of the weekend was Bill Becker buying a new U19MS trophy for the one lost over the years and naming it after Stas Krivosheev. very much a class move for a class kid who is dead way too soon.

I wish I was there. I left early. Man, I knew Stas personally, actually he was really tight with my entire team though I didn't know him that well because by the time I came in he had changed clubs. Anyways, that is amazing, I never knew that.

Man, Now I miss him. Even after, what has it been, I can't even remember. Even after all this time...

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

What would be a cool prize? For top 8 people, a bundle of epee parts would be cool. Wire, tip, screws, springs.... yeah I'd dig it.

For 3rds? What about a buzz box?

2nd? A blade.

1st? How about an FIE Jacket?

[LeftHanded]

I like the way you think. In Rome they did something similar. 1st got a blade, 2nd a box, 3rd some blade cover.