Missouri Quizbowl Alliance
Missouri Quizbowl Alliance (MOQBA) is an organization that promotes the proliferation of good quizbowl in the state of Missouri.
Formation (2008-2009)
MOQBA was founded in September 2008 to unify the efforts of good quizbowl advocates in and near Missouri to improve Missouri quizbowl. The organization was publicly announced on October 31, 2008.
High school quizbowl in Missouri has not kept up with the national trend; questions are still mostly one-liners and generally written poorly. Additionally, restrictions imposed by MSHSAA significantly limit teams from becoming part of the national circuit.
MOQBA's objective is to finally advance the status of quizbowl in Missouri. In its first year, MOQBA has focused on increasing awareness of good quizbowl formats and promoting tournaments that adhere to the principles of good quizbowl.
MOQBA certified six tournaments in the 2008-2009 season: the Missouri Fall Academic Tournament, Missouri S&T Fall Tournament, Tiger Bowl, WUHSAC XI, the NAQT Missouri Qualifier, and the Missouri S&T Spring Tournament.
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 season, the number of MOQBA certified events doubled, adding a Kansas City area mirror of the Dunbar Academic Fall Tournament at Liberty, a third tournament at Missouri-Columbia, two tournaments at Missouri State, and St. Louis area tournaments at Parkway Central and Villa Duchesne. Additionally, MOQBA helped to organize a mirror of the 2009 Fall Novice set at North Kansas City.
The 2010 NAQT Missouri Qualifier was the first tournament formally hosted by MOQBA, on March 20 at the University of Missouri-Columbia. MOQBA will also host a pre-nationals tournament a week before HSNCT; unfortunately, due to MSHSAA rules, participation by Missouri teams is limited to those that qualify for a national tournament during the regular season.
MOQBA is sponsoring Missouri's team at the 2010 NASAT, which will consist of Sabrina Fritz, Grant Gates, Ikshu Neithalath, and Nick Rupel, and will be coached by Paul Nelson.
MOQBA is particularly emphasizing increased Missouri participation at HSNCT and NSC this year through its website, a national bids thread on the Missouri Academic Competition Message Board recognizing teams that qualify for these tournaments, and increased exposure at MOQBA certified events.
Members
- Jeffrey Hill, President & Webmaster
- Alex Dzurick, Secretary
- Paul Nelson
- Matt Chadbourne
- Charles Dees
- Spencer Fish
- Charles Hang
- Jason Loy
- Sean Phillips
- John Scognamiglio