Questions, Questions, Questions - About the $1000 Epee Tournament

[dekko13]

I am glad to see Capt Slo-Mo has chosen his uniform color and I look forward to seeing his entry form on my fax machine very soon. While neon pink would not be my first, or second, choice for uniform designs more power to you and I look forward to seeing you there. My personal design would be a series of black swirls all over the uniform to confuse and disguise my distance but if you like neon pink for your uniform choice that is fine, we will make no problems with anyone regardless of what color(s) they choose.

As for the rest of us who may choose more conventional colors, they are fine as well.

And yes, I do believe someone flipping through channels would stop on two people sword fighting with very colorful uniforms on as opposed to plain boring white uniforms.

Also, as mentioned before, and again and again and again, the purpose of this event is to get fencing on TV and we will do this. I do hope that those of you worried about the prize structure, I guess it never dawned on you that if you are good enough to possibly win you could find a sponsor to pay you to wear their colors and insignias on TV for 7 bouts of 4 hours with interviews showing you and your corporate designed uniforms on TV. I doubt anyone will come in looking like NASCAR drivers but if you get that many sponsors more power to you, and I am guessing you wouldn't have to win to come close to that top prize.

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Originally posted by dekko13
I am glad to see Capt Slo-Mo has chosen his uniform color

I originally wanted to compete in my electric lime-green knickers, but my day-glo orange "fencing thong" underwear kept showing through.

Not telegenic at all.

[MyrddinsPrecint]

Originally posted by Capt. Slo-mo
I originally wanted to compete in my electric lime-green knickers, but my day-glo orange "fencing thong" underwear kept showing through.

Not telegenic at all.

is that the thong with the little epees on it?

because i think epeemike has that one

[oiuyt]

I do hope that those of you worried about the prize structure, I guess it never dawned on you that if you are good enough to possibly win you could find a sponsor to pay you to wear their colors and insignias

My issue wasn't with the people good enough to win... it already makes sense for them to compete. It's for the people that CAN'T take first. They can still take top 8, but a chance at top 8 is likely not to be enough to get corporate sponsorship.

How about my color combination? White, Blue, Maroon. Blue for the parts that include my name, and the little Uhlmann tags. Maroon for the stripes on my socks (Go UMass), and white for pretty much everything else. A bit of black for the Adidas stripes on my shoes, so I guess I have 4 colors. Oh and more black for the mesh of the mask. More blue from my glove. I have colors all over the place. Guess I don't need to go out and custom dye my uniform after all. Expand to include sabre or foil and I'll add metallic silver/gray to my palette. :)

How long are the timed bouts for the finals? Actually, if you could go back to my post 11 posts ago, I had about half a dozen questions that haven't been addressed so far. Care to field a couple of them? Thanks.

-B :)

[CvilleFencer]

About twenty posts ago I also had some questions that I would like to have answered before I commit to sigining up. I am interested, and I fully support the goal of televised fencing, but I will not commit until I have a clear understanding of the rules. If you could take a look at those questions, I would really appreciate it!

Thanks

[dekko13]

C'ville fencer, sorry for not getting to your question earlier, I got distracted by the capt'ns neon pink uniform with hot pink thong, I think, and forgot to answer your questions.

The masks on display by Santelli at nationals we brought by me. The process to paint these masks was simple but did take some time. Some was spray painted and some was done with a paint brush. You may register without having the uniform in hand. We would hope that you would have a uniform by the time you show up but you may register now. Where you get the uniforms is up to you but Santelli, PBT, and others have uniforms with with color and combinations of colors. For the UMASS fencers, find a jacket and paint the UMASS logo, mascot, whatever on it and come on down. I think that would be neat and very eye catching.

As for the number of fencers, the events will take place whether we have 40, 30, or 8. This event is happening and will be on TV. To that end if we have 8, which we will not we will have more, the event will happen. We already have 20 signed up and do expect to have all the spots filled. Send in your entry now to not miss out on your change to go for the $1000.

Enjoy!

david@usafencing.com

[picojeff]

Info on the format would be the most interesting thing. I presume the second day is straight DE from 8 to 1. But it could be a pool of 8, or who knows what else. How long is each bout? Is the first day pools and DEs? Say 5 pools of 8 with 32 advancing, and DEs to 8? Details! We need details!

[dekko13]

The web site will be updated very soon with this info.

The Sunday event will be a pool of 8. Each bout will be timed and last 5 minutes. There will be 2 minutes of fencing, 1 minute break, 2 minutes of fencing. The Sunday fencing will be the fencing that will be filmed to be broadcast on TV staions around the nation.

Sorry for the delay in getting this out, it was an honest oversight.

david@usafencing.com

[picojeff]

Big Pool -- yuck!

What happens if there's a tie on victories at the end of the big pool? Is there a barrage, or could I be out $1000 on touches-scored?

[edew]

I'm tempted to jump in, but this was announced too late. I already have commitments for September.

I also would like to see a graduated scale of prizes for the top-8.

Why not have 56 fencers instead of 40? Have 8 pools of 7 with four up to a DE of 32. That gives those who don't make the DE rounds a good day of fencing and makes for a balanced pool and DE table.

40 fencers seems to be an odd number.

And, with 56, you just have that much more cash for the finalists.

[dekko13]

Come on Jeff, you didn't think we would just hand you $1000 and not make you work for it?

Just kidding.

On a serious note. If two fencers are tied with the same number of victories at the end of the pool, IE two people 6-1, who ever won between them when they fenced will be declared the winner. If three or more are tied for the best record we will do a fence off. Most likely a first blood, one touch pentathlon type bout to decide a winner.

Again Jeff, aren't you going to win all the bouts anyway and go 7-0 to win the $1000? Kidding again.

Seriously, don't let the tie breaker system prevent any of you from signing up for this event. If will be fair and make since for all involved and be known before the event starts.

david@usafencing.com

[DanInMI]

Originally posted by MikeHarm
I haven't heard of many people getting a lengthy list of demands to meet in order to be able to hold an unpaid volunteer office with the USFA before and I find this an interesting subject.

I'd like to know more about how it came about and what happened to make the USFA have that ruling on him.

Could you tell us some of the story of what happened or a few of these unreasonable demands he won't meet if you can't list all of them?

Well, this question has yet to be answered. What did Alan do to cause the usfa to get banned from holding an office in the USFA?

[DanInMI]

I think that you will get alot of viewers if you broadcast at about 9 am on saturday morning. With all thes colorfull uniforms , kids will think they are watching the "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers."

[dekko13]

Two things,

1. I like to Power Ranger idea, but if you follow cartoons of kids now the big one is Yugioh. The cartoon of kids playing the card game is the most facinating thing I have seen. Big change from the Scooby, Superfirends type I grew up with.

2. I don't know why Alan was prevented from ever holding a division or section offcie ever again. Nor do I care. I have no doubt it's a he said/she said situation and lots of accusations and rumors were floated around. We they true or not, don't know, don't care. I know he has no interest in ever holding an office again and they have no intention of letting him hold an office again and I am thinking both are fine with that situation.

Again, you are focusing on the wrong thing here. This event is designed to put on TV where other fencing tournaments are not. As mentioned by someone else, if you get in before the spots are filled up you get a definate 40 people in an event and don't have to pay an outragous fee, $25 is very reasonable for this event. Don't let Alan or him being a sponsor prevent you from getting on this event. He will have nothing to do with you not getting your $1000 winning payment. He is there to make sure we have enough money to do the TV part.

david@usafencing.com

[DanInMI]

Originally posted by dekko13

Second, the goal of the organization formed to host/run this event is to get fencing on TV. Bottom line. We want to have as many TV markets air these programs as possible. Airing these programs will no doubt help interest in those markets and get more people into fencing.

What is this obsession with getting Fencing on TV? Some sports just don't play well on TV. That does not prevent them from becoming very popular.

Look at skateboarding, for example. Sure, you occasionally see skateboarding on TV. But that is because skate boarding is already so incredibly popular. It did not get popular because of TV. Skateboarding experienced a tremendous growth in the US inspite of the fact that it was not being televised at all. And now that it is so huge, you occassionally see skateboarding on ESPN Extreme.

What about bowling? Only the most die-hard bowling enthusiast watches bowling on TV. Yet there are thousands of people that bowl all the time that NEVER would sit down to watch the "Pro Bowlers Tour" on TV.

Also, just because a sport is fun to watch on tv, that does not mean that the watchers will be inspired to do it themselves. Take figure skating, for example.

If this venture is truly intended as a way to promote the sport and bring in more fencers it is a missguided attempt.

I think that a better way to build fencing popularity is by creating more youth programs across the country, like American Youth Soccer.

Or imagine if there were "Peter Westbrook Foundations" all across the country.

[CvilleFencer]

I would dearly like to argue with DanInMI (it is kind of a hobby after all) but I have to say that he is right in this. If we get fencing on TV, do not expect to have your Salle filled to capacity tomorrow.

I think that it will take more than a few gimmicks (colored uniforms, TV, clear masks, not wires) to grow the sport into a more mainstream one. One of those is to have the sport televised. Another would be for local, State and Divisional groups to do something useful towards promoting the sport locally, like sending out press releases, raising donations and maybe making a board position to serve as press liaison/community relations person.

Anther, and probably the most important step would be to encourage a grass roots approach as Dan has said. Encourage local schools and youth organizations to participate, have skilled coaches willing to teach at 4H and other youth camps for free, and a general forth putting of effort by the USFA and state and divisional groups to encourage the growth of the sport.

Having said all of that, the televised fencing is still a valuable component, as it will hopefully increase awareness and interest. It is just another piece of the puzzle however, and not a magic bullet.

Okay, end of rant. Thanks for listening.

[MikeHarm]

I've read earlier posts about a stigma attached to people who associated with you the last time with the PFL. For those of us who remain competitors in the USFA in the other weapons that have right of way , I think hearing anything about having a 'stigma' is scary and makes one ask something really important:

Who are the offended parties? Are they still upset? And is there any chance that we'll end up with them as a director and having them thinking how pissed off they were at you guys and interpreting our being in the Swordmasters tourney as supporting someone who screwed them over in some fashion while they're thinking about what calls to make?



Dekko13:

2. I don't know why Alan was prevented from ever holding a division or section offcie ever again. Nor do I care. I have no doubt it's a he said/she said situation and lots of accusations and rumors were floated around. We they true or not, don't know, don't care. I know he has no interest in ever holding an office again and they have no intention of letting him hold an office again and I am thinking both are fine with that situation.

[oiuyt]

C'ville fencer, sorry for not getting to your question earlier

Awwww, now I feel hurt. We both ask you to revisist our unanswered questions and you only respond to him? For simplicity I'll ask them again here (removing the answered questions):

What is the "additional prize $125" mentioned on the front page? I didn't see anything resembling that mentioned elsewhere in the site.

How is seeding accomplished for the first event?

Athlete interviews are one of the things that are offered to sponsors. What if none of the top athletes are willing to be interviewed? What if the specific athlete that the sponsor wants isn't available?

Where on the entry form does an athlete give away image/TV rights? Shouldn't there be a waiver similar to that required by Disney for the Orlando NAC? I guess technically this should likely be in the enrollment/bio form. (okay, this one is more a suggestion phrased as a question than a true question)

Now for the new questions:

If the finals bouts are 2 minutes on, 1 minute off, 2 minutes on, is that a running clock (ie think soccer rather than the way fencing normally is)? If so, how much practice do you have with the format and dealing with slow-downs (ie "may I tie my shoe please?", "Wait, could you explain that action for me again" (whoops, this is epee), "Sir, sir, I have sweat in my eyes" *wipe* pause *wipe* *wipe* pause *adjusts mask*)? How much practice do your referees have with carding delay of bout? How telegenic are delay of bout cards? If it's not a running clock then how does this format give a fixed amount of time for a bout for the benefit of TV? That was the reason for the change, no?

I understand that the event will be held with whatever number register. Are there any plans currently in place for how to pay for the 3rd or 4th event when there are only 10 people willing to pay $75 or $100 and prizes alone are 4 times what that brings in? Not to mention all of the other associated costs (equipment, referees, administrative overhead, profit, TV airtime, TV editing, TV taping, etc.)? Do the plans get more specific than "We find enough sponsors that are willing to cover the costs in exchange for being featured on public-access cable shows"?

For the UMASS fencers, find a jacket and paint the UMASS logo, mascot, whatever on it and come on down. I think that would be neat and very eye catching.

Well, yes, that would be an option. Would the color scheme that I describe (white, blue, maroon, black) be allowed? Obviously it violates the spirit of the rule but follows the letter. I'm just not that interested in dressing up like a Minuteman to fence.

We already have 20 signed up

You mean with all the talk here and the website going live and the brochures at the Santelli/PC booth in Austin you haven't gotten ANY new names? I'd assumed you were just slow to update the website! Out of curiosity, why black out the names until August 1st? Why not let people know who the 20 that are signed up are?

-B :)

[dekko13]

Sorry Mr. UMASS with the interesting french screen name, I will attempt to nanswer all of your questions even though some have been answered already.

Seeding for events is covered in the FIE rules, for reference they are in english somewhere on tghis website.

Image waivers are not necessary due to the fact that to the top 8 will definately be on TV and not may be on TV and they know that going in, there is no image to steal. I suspect the Orlando event had everyone sign this 'just in case' they end up on film without their knowledge. With this event, the top 8 know for a fact they will be on TV.

I am surprised a college student would be that unimaginative with his/her uniform but if that's the best you can do, I will allow you to be embarassed in front of everyone else with your boring uniform. However, you will stand out and be the one guy/girl with a boring, simple uniform. So, I guess I can expect your entry form eitherf faxed or emailed real soon?

If I missed a question email me at david@usafencing.com and will answer it.

Enjoy!

[picojeff]

Originally posted by dekko13
Sorry Mr. UMASS with the interesting french screen name

I think David has revealed he's not a francophone.

Look at your keyboard, specifically at the letters in a line between P and R.

I will grant you that the French use the same layout on that part of the keyboard, but so does most of the world.