Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfred
It shouldn't be discussed at any level yet, because we lack the key ingredients. We need 50 teams (nine to go, if nobody shuts down), we need four venues that can hold 40 teams for a real event (read: no venue SCRIW has ever run--we cram 24 in with non-standard pits), and we either need some spare key volunteers or a cloning machine. Could it happen by 2017? Not impossible, but I'd bet on 2018.
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With 41 teams we are close to what IN had when they started districts. And a cheaper model may make it easier to start new teams and bump our numbers. And Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston have hosted regional events before the big show was moved to Myrtle Beach. I can't speak for other cities but I know Greenville has universities and high schools large enough to host a large district event.
What is wrong with discussing how to prepare for districts and how to implement the model NOW? If it takes years to prepare for a regional, it will probably take years to prepare for a district model. If we START the discussion in 2017, 2018 or later, we run the risk of losing teams in SC.
If TN and FL move to districts before we do, every team in SC will have to travel 8-12 hours for a second event (many teams already do). Which means most teams may only be able to afford one event (a large and competitive Palmetto), may become severely discouraged, and see team participation diminish. SC could easily go from 41 active teams to significantly less.