[GFCA] State Championships and Other Questions

Tue Feb 1 09:20:15 PST 2011

Dear Coaches,

I hope this email finds you well!  I want to update you on the First/Second
Year State Championships this weekend at Carrollton High School, as well as
the Varsity State Tournament in late March.

*Who May Participate in this Saturday’s Tournament?*

In order to attend this tournament and the Varsity Tournament in March,
schools must be paid members of the Georgia Forensic Coaches Association.  I
have attached a list of member schools.  NOTE: Southwest Dekalb High School
is a paid member and does not appear on the list.  If you have any questions
about membership dues, please contact John McClellan, GFCA Treasurer, at
JOHN.MCCLELLAN at hcbe.net. Dues may be paid at registration: please let me
know if you will be doing so BEFORE THURSDAY.

* *

* *

*GFCA First/Second Year Championships and Varsity Championships-*

The distinction between the two tournaments seems to be confusing some.  The
tournament this weekend is for first- and second-year competitors ONLY.  If
a student has competitive debate experience of ANY kind before this year,
they MUST be entered in the JV division of their event.  This was decided at
the GFCA Fall Meeting by coaches in attendance.  Please make necessary
adjustments as soon as possible.  Students who actually compete in an
incorrect division risk disqualification.

Additionally, students may compete in both tournaments provided they have
met tournament requirements: *FIRST/SECOND YEAR STATE:* Two Georgia
tournaments; *VARSITY** STATE: *Two Georgia tournaments in the SPECIFIC
event PLUS placing a Georgia tournament in that event.  If you are unsure
whether a student has fully qualified to State, please email either Mario
Herrera at rioherrera at gmail.com, or GFCA Secretary Jeff Miller at
jmill126 at gmail.com.

*Novice Policy Evidence*

The Novice policy debate packet update was sent by Vice-President Adam
Smiley in early January.  I have also included that update.  If you have
questions about the update, please email Adam at smiley at fultonschools.org.

*Collapsing Divisions*

At this point, some IE divisions will collapse into one division.  State
Championships will still be awarded in all divisions and will be counted for
Sweepstakes..

*Judging Requirements/Qualifications*

Schools may utilize juniors and seniors from their schools to meet judge
requirements; however, I prefer only college students or older for the JV
divisions, particularly in debate events.  This is a State Championship and
as such having quality judges is important. If you are using current
students from your school, please indicate so in the “Comments” section of
the “Judges” tab on Joy of Tournaments.  NO ERRORS IN THE STATUS OF JUDGES
WILL BE TOLERATED.  IF YOU ARE UTILIZING STUDENT JUDGES, INDICATE SO ON JOY
OF TOURNAMENTS.  This State Tournament is only as good as our judge
pool.  Let’s
provide these students with the best and brightest in our community.

*Prose/Poetry Rules*

Regarding Prose/Poetry:  Plays may NOT be used in this event!

*Public Forum and LD Topics*

The January/February NFL topic for LD,  the JANUARY topic for Public Forum.

* *

*Policy Debate Elimination Rounds*

Policy debate entry numbers call for an Octofinals round.  I am currently
looking at the schedule to determine the best way to accomplish this.

*Ballots/Tabulation*

We will have a room for ballots at the tournament.  As soon as ballots are
tabulated we will distribute them in the ballot room.  As soon as all
ballots in a given event are tabulated, we will post the tabulation in that
ballot room.  This is to provide transparency for tabulation and to catch
any errors that may occur.  Additionally, as possible, we will have a
“Coaches Challenge” at the tournament.  This is a time before elimination
rounds are announced for coaches to triple-check elimination round entries.

*Checks/Payment*

Checks should be made to: GFCA.  If your schools is requiring additional
information about the organization, please contact John McClellan.

*NFL/CFL/Literary  Information*

In no way does qualification/membership with NFL/CFL connect with our State
Tournaments; those are separate organizations.  While the CFL qualifier was
in fact a State Qualifier for the GFCA, neither of the NFL District
Tournaments will serve as such.  Also, the Literary competition is NOT
associated with the Georgia Forensic Coaches Association.  Any questions
regarding that competition should be addressed to Athletic Directors at your
high school: Literary is a GHSA sponsored competition.  Additionally,
membership in the GFCA does not preclude other state championships and
membership in other forensic organizations.

*Special Note*

A very special thanks to Richard Bracknell of Carrollton High School for
hosting this tournament!  I know his students, parents and colleagues are
planning to provide a wonderful experience. Also, a BIG thanks to Claude
Robinson for his enormous work on the trophies for this tournament.  He has
spent a lot of time researching and creating wonderful trophies.

Finally, thanks to all of you for your continued support.  The GFCA officers
will soon start work on the invite for the Varsity Tournament.  Registration
should be up and running by the first week in March.  Don’t forget that
there are a few more opportunities to qualify to Varsity State:  Alpharetta
and Lee County having their rescheduled tournament on February 19th, and the
Area Tournaments are being planned.  Also, we still need to vote on
electronic devices policies for that tournament.  At times we have
experienced challenges, but this makes sense to me:  we are forensics
coaches; engaging in such discourse is part of who we are.  These upcoming
tournaments may also lead to discussion and questions.  Remember that this
process is new to all of us, and there are always unexpected challenges when
new adventures are pursued.  I will do what I can to make things as smooth
and fair for all competitors.  With your help and diligence, I believe that
our activity will continue to be strong, competitive and fulfilling.

Don’t hesitate to contact me with questions you may have.

Mario Herrera

President

Georgia Forensic Coaches Association
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