I personally believe a model based on FIFA's for the World Cup should be used, where each region has a pre-determined number of spots available to it. These numbers are then tweaked annually based on the performance of that region's teams at the ICT. I am unsure how waiting list spots should go but a simple rotation by region, where the strongest region gets spot #1, the next region gets #2, and so on, would work just as well as the current system which is the ultimate in black box technology. In this manner -- 1. teams will automatically know whether or not they made it. 2. the possibility of a 'Virginia scenario' (where a team finishing higher than a team which makes it doesn't get invited) is eliminated. 3. transparency is always better IMO. (Also I believe ICT holders and ICT hosts should get automatic bids just like the World Cup as well.) For SCT hosts, their perforance at the fall tournaments should somehow be taken into consideration. This will prevent very good programs from getting screwed b/c their good players are moderating at the SCT and prevent hosts who do not belong from taking a spot from a more deserving team. (Perhaps SCT hosts ought to be placed first on the waiting list?) The $$$ obtained and the program prestige added should be enough to continue a steady supply of hosts. Also, I am loth to allow *any* program two spots in the ICT Division I field. More programs, more diversity == better IMO. Just ranting. Comments welcome otherwise I'd not be posting. Goodluck to all teams. Shawn Pickrell
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