[Ken Loyd]

Dear Teams:

I save three seats at each competition we attend. Two of the seats always have someone sitting in them. The third seat usually has someone sitting in it. They are our scouting seats. As a chaperon my students always know where to find me. The only time a seat is empty is to send a message to the pits or to take care of a personal matter.

It just dawned on me that we aren't saving seats...WE ARE SITTING IN THE SEATS WATCHING THE COMPETITION! From this vantage point I have seen many strange behaviors:

1. The SAVE A SEAT SO I CAN STAND--This team saves seats so they can stand and cheer on their team during the match. I applaud your pride but the people behind you can't see. If you want to stand during your match...go to the cheering pit.

2. THIS IS OUR CLOSET--This team needs somewhere to store coats, backpacks, and other items of mass destruction. Select an area off to the sides or in the higher seats.

3. JAIL--This is where a student is put for punishment. If they can't stay involved, don't bring them in the first place.

4. KODAK MOMENT--This person (who usually weighs in excess of 300 lbs) stands during the match to video/photograph. They are usually at least 150 feet from the playing field. Move down to the front row and stand in the way of those people who must find a seat during a match rather than waiting for the match to end.

5. The GYM PEOPLE--These are the people who feel the need to exercise during a match. They sit in a row of about ten people. They jump up every 30 second to shout something to someone at the other end of the row. I know that you are not interested in the match because your team isn't playing but mine might be.

6. The SCRUM--This is the group of 6 to 8 people who start up the steps during a match pausing every other step looking for enough seats for all of them to sit in. Check out where you want to go before you start the climb.

7. MY HOTEL ROOM--These people stayed up all night and now need a place to crash. The usually stretch out over 3 or 4 seats. There is plenty of room on the sides for your nap, besides...you snore!

8. The PLAYGROUND--These are children between the ages of 3 and 6. If they aren't picking up trash from the floor, they are jumping from step to step in the aisle. Of course when they fall and get hurt...well that will be another thread.

Folks, this is an exciting game. Matches only last 2 minutes. Come on up, cop a squat, and enjoy yourself but, TREAT THOSE AROUND YOU LIKE YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED!

Ken Loyd
Team 64