At this point the proper tack is to market your tournament as a series of "one-on-one matches". According to the HCASC rules posted on the College Bowl(TM) web site, there is no specific prohibition against playing in a non-College Bowl(TM) tournament. Furthermore, the issue is addressed in the HCASC FAQ section: "Can we compete against College Bowl teams to prepare? "As of the 1996-97 season, yes. HCASC teams are allowed to attend licensed College Bowl Intercollegiate Tournaments. "HBCU's may also schedule one-on-one matches with CB teams providing that the teams involved supply their own questions. No questions provided by the HCASC Headquarters for HCASC or CB Headquarters for CB may be used." That last paragraph is important. What is an invitational tournament, after all, but a series of "one-on-one matches" which uses questions from a source apart from HCASC and CB Headquarters? The first paragraph is there to protect the integrity of HCASC packets. It is not there to strictly limit HCASC schools to participation in licensed "College Bowl(TM) Tournaments". There is a myth to that effect that has been allowed to propagate, creating the de facto segregation of the larger Game today. It is that myth which must be combated in order to integrate. But, I don't think we can't count on CBCI to provide any help in doing that. (CBCI's no-response to the petition that so many folks signed is a clear indication of that.) In short, there is no need to affiliate with CBCI or to pay their licensing fees. Circuit invitationals are NOT College Bowl(TM) touraments, and they are (ostensibly) open to all schools--whether or not they are historically or predominately black. Tournament Directors now must take action by discovering who the sponsors/coaches are at the HCASC schools and inviting them to their tournaments. They will also need to be prepared to discuss the present state of affairs and how it is not really prohibitive of HCASC school participation in circuit invitationals. It will take outreach, persuasion, diplomacy and tact. I suggest that as contacts are discovered, that they be identified in this forum or the QB listserv. It would also be a great thing if anyone subscribing to this or the listserv who is associated with an HCASC team self-identify. I am eager to discuss this matter with anyone who is hosting a tournament or has eligibility questions in general. Albert Whited
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