As a postscript to the story, DCCHS was offered the chance to play as an exhibition team, and they begrudgingly accepted. They were understandably upset at not being able to play for the Supernatural Ice Bowl (they more than likely would have won), but the kids themselves behaved in an admirable fashion. Comments were made elsewhere, but I will decline to go further. At any rate, although NAQT rectified the situation in an appropriate manner with the time constraints, situations like this are entirely avoidable and I am somewhat perplexed that safeguards have not been established to prevent teams from playing on sets they have already seen. The root of the problem this year may stem from the lack of a third winter Invitational Set as in years past (why?) but the solution as I see it is as follows: First, absolutely totally require teams hosting an NAQT tournament to provide at the minimum a list of schools which are scheduled to attend their tournament within one week of said tournament. Results and such would be nice after the tournament as well, but not as critical to this. NAQT should then compile a list by state of schools which have played on which set and cross check the list with subsequent tournament which use the set. This would not be at all difficult. Why is this not being done? This is basic. This is simple. To not do so invites a team to try to twist the rules in their favor or to inadvertantly cause what happened to us. So in conclusion, I'm not placing full blame on either DCCHS or NAQT. Both did what needed to be done, and I was happy to see DCCHS leave with smiles on their faces and hope they come back to play at Battle of the 'Burgh III. Again I thank NAQT for providing us the means of rectifying a potentially devastating situation at such a late hour before the tournament, and I hope this serves as a wakeup call to more rigorously enforce their question security. As a final aside note and question for others who deal with high school teams on a regular basis -- what do you do with teams who correspond through a team captain or player? I've dealt with them as if they were a totally reliable contact as I would with a collegiate team or coach, but this experience with DCCHS has caused me to go back and question that approach. Thoughts, comments, etc welcome, -- Eric P. Steinhauser President, Pitt Quiz Bowl E_Steinhauser_at_...
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