2010 PCCs location?

[flechewounds]

As Teacup pointed out, this was one of the reasons that the team event was separated last year. As section chair at that time, it was my decision to move the teams out. I still think that was the right decision - and here's why.

1) Juniors and Seniors are qualifying events while the team event is a recreational event. The qualifiers are the official duty of the section and they deserve the best that the section can give. Furthermore, Juniors are a qualifier to a points event, making them that much more important for the fencers competing in them.

2) Reducing the overall cost to attend qualifiers and nationals was an important consideration. As was pointed out, two qualifiers means two trips for those who want to compete at nationals. I believed then (and believe now) that this is an unnecessary expense.

3) Depending on the weapon, the team event was either incredibly strong, pathetically weak, or somewhere in between. The qualifier are consistent in their strength.

4) Getting good refs/armorers/bout staff for both qualifiers is an expense. The quality of the refs at the qualifiers should be highest. The team event must, by definition, play second fiddle.

Of course (as to be expected) those unhappy with the decision decided that it was an affront to the section and decided that I was wrong in doing it that way. Then, they proposed and passed a bylaw amendment to codify that structure. It was wrong-headed in my opinion and forces the section to push higher cost on the fencers to serve a relatively narrow community.

But, alas, in a democracy, only those who participate govern - and the disgruntled team folks were the majority participants in last year's election. The result? Now the junior fencers and their families will be forced to travel to an additional event (unless they auto-qual). The senior and team event will happen in vegas, even though if you look at our demographics, it doesn't make sense to hold an event outside of either NorCal or SoCal (if you're trying to help the broader community spend less).

Takeaway - don't only have your voice heard if your unhappy about something - but stand up and be heard if your happy about it too. Otherwise, those who are unhappy about it will rule the day.

[notalent]

As Teacup pointed out, this was one of the reasons that the team event was separated last year. As section chair at that time, it was my decision to move the teams out. I still think that was the right decision - and here's why.

1) Juniors and Seniors are qualifying events while the team event is a recreational event. The qualifiers are the official duty of the section and they deserve the best that the section can give. Furthermore, Juniors are a qualifier to a points event, making them that much more important for the fencers competing in them.

2) Reducing the overall cost to attend qualifiers and nationals was an important consideration. As was pointed out, two qualifiers means two trips for those who want to compete at nationals. I believed then (and believe now) that this is an unnecessary expense.

3) Depending on the weapon, the team event was either incredibly strong, pathetically weak, or somewhere in between. The qualifier are consistent in their strength.

4) Getting good refs/armorers/bout staff for both qualifiers is an expense. The quality of the refs at the qualifiers should be highest. The team event must, by definition, play second fiddle.

Of course (as to be expected) those unhappy with the decision decided that it was an affront to the section and decided that I was wrong in doing it that way. Then, they proposed and passed a bylaw amendment to codify that structure. It was wrong-headed in my opinion and forces the section to push higher cost on the fencers to serve a relatively narrow community.

But, alas, in a democracy, only those who participate govern - and the disgruntled team folks were the majority participants in last year's election. The result? Now the junior fencers and their families will be forced to travel to an additional event (unless they auto-qual). The senior and team event will happen in vegas, even though if you look at our demographics, it doesn't make sense to hold an event outside of either NorCal or SoCal (if you're trying to help the broader community spend less).

Takeaway - don't only have your voice heard if your unhappy about something - but stand up and be heard if your happy about it too. Otherwise, those who are unhappy about it will rule the day.

This is how democracy works, as it stands the membership has indicated that they want the team event with Sr PCCs. The membership has consistently voted for separate events, but if a suitable venue can't be found we will hold all three in vegas. Likely this will be the last year of Jr events at PCC and perhaps if some folks have their way sectional championships period.

[Purple Fencer]

Likely this will be the last year of Jr events at PCC and perhaps if some folks have their way sectional championships period.

?? Can you elaborate??

[Mr.MightyMouse]

But, alas, in a democracy, only those who participate govern - and the disgruntled team folks were the majority participants in last year's election. The result? Now the junior fencers and their families will be forced to travel to an additional event (unless they auto-qual). The senior and team event will happen in vegas, even though if you look at our demographics, it doesn't make sense to hold an event outside of either NorCal or SoCal (if you're trying to help the broader community spend less).

Takeaway - don't only have your voice heard if your unhappy about something - but stand up and be heard if your happy about it too. Otherwise, those who are unhappy about it will rule the day.

I was quite content up to last year, yet, wished that team was included in LB.
Agreed - attendance would be maximized, by holding PCC's amongst the densest - in more way than one - fencer populated areas.
Silly me - living SoCal I assume that happiness is status quo, not something a Ghandian effort is needed to obtain.
Oh well, I think Kogi is in Pasadena for lunch.
http://kogibbq.com/

[flechewounds]

Oh well, I think Kogi is in Pasadena for lunch.
http://kogibbq.com/

Kogi does ensure happiness

[teacup]

?? Can you elaborate??

Because if the new tournament schedule proposal is implemented, junior and cadet events will no longer be held at Summer Nationals, therefore no need for sections to host U19 SN qualifiers.

[notalent]

?? Can you elaborate??

Its no secret that there is a desire to do away with sections amongst some of the EC. Jrs would go if the TC eliminates Jrs from SN. That I consider likely, as it won't need a bylaw change. Removing sections will need a bylaw change from a governance stand point, though they could change the qual path for D1A with out a bylaw change. Should that happen there would be no PCCs in the current sense. Likely we would try and host team at a large event in the section or perhaps even somewhere in the old borders. There are teams from Portland and Seattle that have won various teams and I imagine would be interested in competing for them again.

[Mr.MightyMouse]

Kogi does ensure happiness

had the blackjack quesadilla - highly recommend it

I dunno - should not the Govt try to create prior to destruction of the past?

[seven6ty]

I dunno - should not the Govt try to create prior to destruction of the past?

Shoosh with that kind of talk... This is the USFA!!!

[Purple Fencer]

Its no secret that there is a desire to do away with sections amongst some of the EC. Jrs would go if the TC eliminates Jrs from SN. That I consider likely, as it won't need a bylaw change. Removing sections will need a bylaw change from a governance stand point, though they could change the qual path for D1A with out a bylaw change. Should that happen there would be no PCCs in the current sense. Likely we would try and host team at a large event in the section or perhaps even somewhere in the old borders. There are teams from Portland and Seattle that have won various teams and I imagine would be interested in competing for them again.

Thanks....since my sales focus has typically been local, division-level events, I was not paying attention to the new national schedule thread.

I'll certainly be bummed if PCCs dies...did some of my best (and a lot of my worst) competing there.

Maybe we can get LBI going again, tho, to replace it. Right now the only truly large event out here is the Linkmeyer.

[KD5MDK]

My personal expectation is that the PCCs will live on as a bragging rights regional championship, and will continue to do well. Those trophies have to go somewhere, and I expect that lots of clubs will want to maintain their claim as the best X on the west coast.

[notalent]

Thanks....since my sales focus has typically been local, division-level events, I was not paying attention to the new national schedule thread.

I'll certainly be bummed if PCCs dies...did some of my best (and a lot of my worst) competing there.

Maybe we can get LBI going again, tho, to replace it. Right now the only truly large event out here is the Linkmeyer.

Not even that this year, the kids at SC aren't doing it this year.

[seven6ty]

Awww man, why not? Problems getting the gym or something???

[Mr.MightyMouse]

Not even that this year, the kids at SC aren't doing it this year.

That's news, why?
There is Okawa, right?

[notalent]

That's news, why?
There is Okawa, right?

Money, without substantially increasing the fee there wasn't enough money to make it worth the effort. Its compounded by TrojanMD's inability to be there to help.

I believe there will be an Okawa this year.

[Purple Fencer]

Money, without substantially increasing the fee there wasn't enough money to make it worth the effort. Its compounded by TrojanMD's inability to be there to help.

I believe there will be an Okawa this year.

Okawawa is on, unless Greg Schiller tells differently (we can ask him at CalTech tomorrow)....the last info I have from the USC guys was they were going to try to put on Linkmeyer...but that's about a week old...

[notalent]

Okawawa is on, unless Greg Schiller tells differently (we can ask him at CalTech tomorrow)....the last info I have from the USC guys was they were going to try to put on Linkmeyer...but that's about a week old...

Who did you hear that from, they hadn't put forth the paperwork when the first half of the schedule went up. I would hope that they had reconsidered but I wasn't told otherwise. It would have to be later in the season than the week prior to JOs as that weekend is a collegiate meet.

[Purple Fencer]

Who did you hear that from, they hadn't put forth the paperwork when the first half of the schedule went up. I would hope that they had reconsidered but I wasn't told otherwise. It would have to be later in the season than the week prior to JOs as that weekend is a collegiate meet.

I'll PM you...but looking at the email, it looks like I remembered it wrong...they hadn't made up their mind yet.

[teacup]

Money, without substantially increasing the fee there wasn't enough money to make it worth the effort. Its compounded by TrojanMD's inability to be there to help.

Many fencers would be willing to pay a higher entry fee, especially if it's cheaper than a plane ticket.

(Too bad TrojanMC wouldn't be able to be there though. )

[gatsby]

The Linkmeyer question is still up in the air. The USC guys have to work some stuff out with the administration before they can be sure they can put it on again. I'm not sure where people are hearing that it's definitely not going to happen. That just isnt true. Well not yet at least