fayettevilledisc.org

joyness · Joined: 07 Apr 2003 Posts: 975 Location: Fayettenam

FROM JULIE COOK,
CONCERNING THE CHANGE OF CLUB SECTIONAL BOUNDARIES FOR THE GULF COAST.

Hey there,

There has been some talk of considering changes to the sectional boundaries and the UPA now has a protocol regarding how to do this.

Our section is not really growing and many of us go to tournaments in other sections anyway. One of the thoughts I had was splitting up the GC and having half go to Texas and the other go to GA. For example, MS, LA go to Texas and AL go to GA. I'm not sure if AR would want to go to TX or up to the section that Tulsa is in. And of course there is Memphis - where would they want to go??

This is no way a plan, but I have heard some talk going around. There is still this perception that the team who plays a weak sectionals gets a free ride to regionals. I think this is BS, I'd rather have some competition and get a better feel of what we may need to do. I know I would welcome greater competition.

Anyway, if you have anything to add, please do so, and let me know where you would want to go if you had the choice or if you'd rather let it stay as it is.

Julie

joyness · Joined: 07 Apr 2003 Posts: 975 Location: Fayettenam

If you have an opinion, express it.
{If you know someone that has an opinion, help them get it out here if they aren't, you know, IT savy.}

Remember 2 of the 3 UPA coordinators live here in the 'ville with you:
Wayne is OPEN SC
Joy is WOMEN'S SC.

There is the distinct possibility that our section could be dissolved
and we would have to be part of the TEXAS SECTION of the SOUTHERN REGION,
or change to the CENTRAL REGION and play sectionals with

West Plains:Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Iowa
Central Plains:Illinois, Indiana
East Plains: Ohio, Kentucky
Michigan: Michigan
Northwest Plains: Minnesota, Wisonsin, South Dakota, North Dakota, Manitoba

marv · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 15

i think dissolving our section is a good idea. i'm willing to support any idea that keeps us from having to drive to baton rouge. Texas and the other the west plains regions both seem like better deals. just my 2cents.
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Miss Piggy · Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 170

I know that I don't have PT on the field anymore...but I've done a LOT of traveling to Sectionals (and tourneys) as part of the team from the sidelines...and watched a LOT of competition.

Or I've stayed home because it was either too expensive to fly 2 when only one played in Baton Rouge or because I was a lame ass and didn't want to make the ride.

Here's my thought from the sidelines on this...

Sectionals over the pass 6 years have been in Memphis, LR and Baton Rouge (...Joy please correct me).

Mixed competition has been questionable with only a small number of teams...perhaps not as competitive as in other Sections.

However...

Holes n' Poles has shown themselves as being very competitive in the Mixed Division at Nationals regardless of the Sectionals showing...even though they haven't made it to the finals at the big N yet.

When Towanda still was...we were the 1 Sectionals seed in 1999...we just couldn't make a team for Regionals (back then it was almost always in Sarasota, FL). A very long drive or expensive flight to turn around do again if the team got a bid. More recently...it was in Atlanta (a very expensive trip for 2)...don't remember about last year's location...

I haven't kept track of how well a Fay. Open team has done but the Master's team went to Regionals in 1999 (last time the team played I think) with only 7 guys...they didn't make it to Nationals but I know they had a damn good time playing savage Regionals (with one lady as an extra Sunday player...don't remember her name and Lance is cat napping) Smile

I don't know where Sectionals in the TX Section is usually played...

But...my point is that if a team is ready for Nationals...I'm not sure a smaller (perhaps less competitive?) Sectionals makes that big of a difference.

Here's a distance layout for the Gulf Coast region according to mapquest.com and the last places that I can remember hosted Sectionals:

Baton Rouge is 548 miles from Fay.
Austin is 529 (but the drive is longer from Fay. because of Dallas)
Brownsville, TX is 880 (are Sectionals ever held in that really ugly city?)

Memphis is 319 from Fay. and only 383 from Baton Rouge.
Little Rock is 360 from Baton Rouge but from Baton Rouge to Brownsville is 623 and it's 431 to Austin.

Auburn to Baton Rouge is 419.
Auburn to Memphis is 386.
Auburn to LR is 521.

Auburn's completely on the East edge of AL but is in the middle of the state. I chose that city because of it's Ultimate following...

Tennessee's participation in the Section is West of Nashville (which pretty much means Memphis) so I think I covered their traveling times.

Seems like the Gulf Coast Section distances for playing are pretty well spread fairly...as is...given the mileages. It kinda sucks for Fay. when Sectionals is in Baton Rouge...but not anymore than when Sectionals was in LR with Auburn having to travel (or not showing up...?) Memphis is the ideal Sectionals location I think!

The only way Texas would be better is if Sectionals was in Dallas every year (and of course if they changed their name!) Laughing

Anyway...as a sideline chick I see and think a lot...which is worthwhile since I yell, support and give foot massages too.

I think the Gulf Coast Section should stand AS IS and work to grow rather than dissolving!

Joyness...do the other states in the Section have an opinion to share?

Cool

M
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joyness · Joined: 07 Apr 2003 Posts: 975 Location: Fayettenam

Based only on distance, I'd like to move to the Central region.
In fact, when I first became a UPA member, I thought it was silly for us to be in teh South ... but even though we had the choice, the "old timers" didn't want to move becuase "the competition was more intense, we don't WANT to play against Springfield/KC."

Based on competition, I'd like to move to the Central region.
There are more teams, for ALL divisions, but especially the WOMEN, in much less distance.

Based on what section would we be in, I'd rather move to the Central Region.
I do NOT WANT TO BE PART OF TEXAS SECTION!! no no no!

Now, there are other alternatives, but they would still involve some work and thought.
How could we decrease geographical obstacles and increase participation?
There are a bunch of cities/states in our CURRENT section that have no teams!
For womens -LA, MS, AR has only us, AL has only B-ham, TN has one from time to time.
for Mixed -about the same.
for Open - there are more teams, but MS is still sparse and so is AR, with only LR putting in an open team!
How do we get more people (women) playing for the club division?
The unappeling fact in the GULF COAST SECTION is we often have to drive 7+ hours to play one game to qualify for Regionals, which could be a lengthy 16 - 24 hour drive to get there, and if it's a true 16 team single elimination, play one game Sad

Here's the list of Sec/Reg History I could dig up:
YR, Sec City, Reg City
04 Memphis, Austin
03 Baton Rouge, Atlanta
02 Little Rock, Jackson MS
01 Memphis, Sarasota FL
00 Tuscaloosa, Birmingham
99 Memphis, Orlando
98 Tuscaloosa, Baton Rouge
97 Huntsville, Pensacola
96 Memphis, Tampa
95 Baton Rouge, ?? or was it Tuscaloosa & Mobile 2 years in a row?
94 Tuscaloosa, Mobile AL
93
92 Baton Rouge

Freya · Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 472 Location: fayettenam

EW gross, Texas is outta the question!!!! I will never forget the time when Big Daddy Al was forced to play one on seven against those dirty Texans. Ever since then Texas has been a place I like to stay away from (as if there were'nt enough reasons before that). My two cents may not mean a whole lot to many, but, I feel strongly that Fayetteville Ultimate would much happier in the Central Section. There is a new generation of Ultimate in the area now and I think they would gain much more in all aspects of the game in the Central Section.

I am looking forward to seeing where this all leads.
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frink · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 7:01 pm Post subject:

Fayetteville has always been a better fit with the Central Region. Is it possible to split the state?
(Fay to Central, LR goes wherever Memphis goes)
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DrDoug · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 11:27 pm Post subject:

Joy is right that the tradition here from the UTP days is to want to play in the Gulf Coast Section of the South Region. I publicly opened my keyboard once and suggested a move to the central and was roundly ridiculed and was excluded from reindeer games for some time.

The West Plains section makes a helluva lot of sense for Fayetteville, but does that necessarily mean that the Central Region does? Joy listed where Southern regionals have been played the last many years, but how about looking where central regionals are played? Last several years it's been Chicago and Minneapolis, IIRC. Both of those trips are no closer or significantly more distant for us than Austin/BR/Birmingham/Pensacola/Jackson/Memphis--all places where I've played in Regionals, though Chicago is closer to us than Atlanta and both are closer than Tampa. The other thing to consider is weather. First week in October in Chicago/Minneapolis can resemble an average winter league week for us--temps in 40s, rain not unheard of, though of course it could be nicer or worser. I sure as hell enjoyed sitting in the Tejas sunshine this October.

I cut my teeth playing ultimate in Michigan and Minnesota, and wouldnt mind traveling that way--it's just unlikely that a Central Regional trip would be regularly easier than a South trip. ANd if you think Louisiana/Texas/ cops are bad, it's no better in Iowa/Illinois/etc., especially if you've got southern plates. If we go that way, each car should have a designated Yankee in it for driving/translation purposes. Very Happy

Just food for thought. As someone near the end of his competitive Ultimate career (or past it many would say...), I'm not sure I should be the one deciding. WHo's gonna carry the FDA torch in the future? Where do they want to go?

See ya tomorrow. Dress warm Doc

PS. I need an avatar.
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DrDoug · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 11:33 pm Post subject:

Central regional locations last 5 years.

2004--Blaine, MN
2003--Chicago, IL
2002--West Lafayette, IN
2001--Versailles, OH
2000--Blaine, MN
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Miss Piggy · Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 170

I didn't consider the Central Region. I was just thinking about staying out of Texas. Laughing

Certainly there's more competition in Central than Gulf Coast (probably for all divisions).

Don't forget those Midwest winds...they blow more at 30 mph more than they don't and can be damn cold even in Oct. (speaking from my Urbana, IL experience for 3 years.)

But...it would be great practice for Nationals since the winds are TOUGH in Sarasota (assuming that's the permanent home.)

Anyway...I doubt Lance will play forever (just almost!) Razz

So I'm not a voice for what the future wants either!

By the way Dr. D...I brought up not having Harvest on the same weekend as Nationals once (since lots of players from all other place are disappointed when they have to choose) and got verbally slammed to the ground and beaten up! Wink

Here's to the best decision...whatever that is!

Cool

M
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jonb · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 103

As much as I hate to say it, I agree with Joy.
Oh, and to fact check Doug, Central Regionals were in Maple Plain, MN.
The inclusion of FYV or all of AR will make the Section even more competitive. Last year the section got 5 bids (open) to Regionals.

joyness · Joined: 07 Apr 2003 Posts: 975 Location: Fayettenam

I guess I could have illustrated the options more clearly:

1. Do nothing to change our sec or reg, cuz "it's great the way it is"

2. Come up with a proposal to change our section boundary lines, hopefully getting more teams involved in MS, LA & AR, and stay in the S. Region, cuz "the Southern region is so great and provides easy travel"

3. Come up with a proposal to move to the Central Region and add to the West Plains Section, cuz "well, fuck the south"

The folks that TRAVEL to tournaments are the one's affected.

Memphis will have a say in the changes, as will the reinvigorated LR/Conway folks.

DrDoug · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 9:10 pm Post subject:

Joy--I didn't realize that this was an official vote. You asked for opinions and you got em. THis is a discussion board and, believe it or not, we have a discussion.

I'm all verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves
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DrDoug · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 9:18 pm Post subject:

Oh, and Bitty, thanks for the correction, and always remember that
The Blaine in Minneplain stays mainly on the Maple Plain.

oooh Pablo is gonna HATE that one.
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BOJANGLES · Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 1:08 pm Post subject:

Weighing stuff in my head:

1. Seems to me we're screwed either way.
Our location puts on the edge of both regions.

2. It only affects us for sectionals & regionals.
2 tournaments a year in Sept. & Oct.

3. new and different (better?) teams

4. we play central & southern teams both during the year anyway.

conclusion:
To me, it's a sideways move w/ not enough benefits to move to the central (plus the weather factor Dr. D brought up), unless a reshaping of the sections and regions occurs. Then all bets are off.[/b]