ANNOUNCING THE 43rd ANNUAL NATIONAL ACADEMIC CHAMPIONSHIP
- May 17-18, Virtual
- May 25-26, New Orleans
- May 31 – June 1, Chicago
- June 7-8, Virtual
We offer three competitive levels at each phase: High School Varsity … High School JV … Middle School/Junior High …
Elementary School level will be offered only on May 17-18 (virtual) and May 31-June 1 (Chicago)
The virtual options have 56-team caps.
WE ARE ACCESSIBLE. ALTHOUGH, YES, THE FOURTH-QUARTER QUESTIONS ARE CHALLENGING, WE AIM NEVER TO WASTE YOUR TIME WITH INFORMATION THAT IS TOO OBSCURE OR TOO TRIVIAL.
The Virtual Options
The venue (if you choose a virtual option) will be Google Meet which is free and easy-to-use. During the prelims, your team will be connecting for two 90-minute blocs, 3 games per bloc on any of the preliminary dates. Team members may join from school or join from their own homes if that’s more convenient (the latter option actually makes for a more personalized experience, as we can easily address players by their names, but neither method gives a team an advantage).
Six Guaranteed Matches
Each team will compete in at least six official tournament matches. Advancement to the virtual playoff date (Single Elimination round) will be determined by performance in the six preliminary games. All 6-0, 5-1, and 4-2 teams will make the playoffs.
Bringing Multiple Teams
Some schools choose to field two or more teams. If you’re considering this, be aware that players may not shift between teams.
Consider Also Bringing Your Farm Team
Some years ago we predicted that the contending high school teams of the future will be those that have developed solid farm systems on the lower grade levels. The best example is Daviess County (KY), which won the JV title in 2015 and returned with the same players in 2016 and won the Varsity title. Middle Schools are encouraged to consider bringing a team from the elementary school that feeds into your school – or bring a 6th grade team from your school to compete in the Elementary division.
Junior Varsity Tournament
At each venue we plan to run JV competitions. JV teams will be limited by the “Rule of 42.” That is, the total grade numbers of the four players at any given time shall not exceed 42. For example, 10 + 10 + 11 + 12 = 43, and that’s too much! 9 + 10 + 11 + 12 = 42, and that’s fine. Etc. etc. JV teams will be fielding the same questions as Varsity teams. Graduating seniors are allowed to participate on a JV team only if the school is also bringing a Varsity team as well as JV.
Teams
Your team contingent should include three or four starters and one or more coaches. Alternate(s) are allowed but must remain on mute until they are in play. Note: If your team makes the playoffs, only those listed on the registration form roster will be eligible. You may wish to anticipate that perhaps a player will not be available for playoffs, in which case you may wish to include some extra players on the list you send us when you register.
How to Qualify
Each team must win an academic competition (local or regional) of at least 8 teams or finish in the top 15% of any varsity tournament, the top 20% of any middle grade tournament, the top 25% of any JV tournament, the top 30% of any elementary school tournament. A high 3-2-1 or Knowledge Master score also qualifies. Any school making the playoffs at last year’s National Academic Championship automatically qualifies.
Wild card entry may be offered to teams that wish to apply to compete at the National Academic Championship. Teams from areas without easy-to-reach tournaments, and teams who seem always to finish just under the qualification guidelines in areas with a number of qualifying teams are advised to apply for wild-card entry. To apply for wild card entry into the field at the National Academic Championship, email us at NAC1983@comcast.net with a one or two-paragraph summary of the team’s accomplishments during the school year.
Academic Emphasis
The competition focuses on academic information – “significa” rather than “trivia” – and the questions are supplied by Questions Unlimited. Our emphasis is light on popular culture and heavy on the academic. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of question quality and academic relevance. Contests follow the superb four-quarter format created by Questions Unlimited and adapted for buzzerless contests.
Commitment to Excellence
We call the National Academic Championship “the finest in academic competition” because we boast the best questions and a highly professional officiating staff.
Officials
Our superb team of moderators includes:
* Charles Beall, Executive Director of the National Academic Association and President of Questions Unlimited
* Brick Barrientos, Creator of the long-running Maryland Classic tournament.
* Ernie Anderson, Creator and Host of the High-Q TV program (Huntington, West Virginia)
* Chris Hunter, host of the South Louisiana Quiz Bowl, a production of KWBJ-TV in Morgan City.
* Rob Grierson Project Manager for the Cancer Research Foundation.
* Sierra Mannie is a Latin teacher at Hunter College High School.
* Caitlin O’Neill, New Orleans attorney, is the only “Who Wants to Be a Game Show Host” winner to also have played on a national championship team.
Meet the Pros Pictures and descriptions of our unsurpassed staff of moderators and judges.Project Manager for the Cancer Research Foundation
Entry Fee
The “early bird” entry fee is $500 per team (in-person or virtual option), due by April 15, after which the entry fees are $600 per team. Should we accept any last-minute registrations after May 15, the fee in that case is $700 per team. When the entry fee is received, a place for your team will be reserved and registration materials emailed to you. (You are advised to “white-list” our email addresses NAC1983@comcast.net & Charles@QUnlimited.com, otherwise email with attachments might be caught in your spam filter.) Purchase orders will not reserve a spot for any team. After May 1, you should send either a cashier’s check or a school check and should use overnight mail. THERE ARE NO REFUNDS (unless, of course, we run out of space and have to turn you away), so please send no money until you are certain that your team will be participating. All fees are due by May 15.
You may pay online or you can make your check payable to
NATIONAL ACADEMIC ASSOCIATION.
The address: National Academic Championship 29 Hirshorn Dr Newfoundland, PA 18445
Training
If you choose a remote option, a tutorial on using the videoconferencing program relative to the tournament will be sent to all coaches in time for them to practice with their teams. We recommend a trial Meeting of at least a few minutes before each of your scheduled contests. Our tech coordinator will be available to answer all questions ahead of time and will be available by phone for all matches.
IN-PERSON VENUES
New Orleans,
Memorial Day Weekend May 24-25 (Saturday – Sunday),
Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans Convention Center Hotel.
Competition will start on the morning of May 24 and end no later than 7:00 p.m. on May 25. Hampton Inn will be the site of all competitions. Your competition schedule will allow some time for exploring. There are countless things to do in the New Orleans area, and you may wish to arrive a day early or leave a day late (or both) in order to enjoy some tourist activities. The special group discount rate of $160 per room applies for 1-4 people per room. A hot breakfast is provided at no additional charge.
Make reservations online at this special website the hotel has created for us,
https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/msylahx-naa-f6c13698-2ca5-4069-9461-c35bbda02413/
or you may call 1-800-292-0653 toll free or 504-566-9990 and request the group National Academic Association rate.
DC
June 1 – 2 (Saturday – Sunday),
Bethesda Marriott, 5151 Pooks Hill Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814
Competition will start on the morning of June 1. The last match will take place no later than 7:00 p.m. Sunday. Bethesda Marriott will be the site of all competitions. Your competition schedule will allow some time for exploring. There are countless things to do in the DC area, and you may wish to arrive a day early or leave a day late (or both) in order to enjoy some tourist activities. The special group discount rate of $139 per room applies for 1-4 people per room.
Make reservations online at this special website the hotel has created for us, https://www.marriott.com/events/start.mi?id=1696357146120&key=GRP.
Chicago,
May 31-June 1 (Saturday – Sunday),
Holiday Inn Chicago O’Hare – Rosemont
Competition will start on the morning of May 31. The last match will take place no later than 7:00 p.m. Sunday.
Holiday Inn Chicago O’Hare – Rosemont will be the site of all competitions. This is a newer, better located hotel than we’ve had in the past. They offer a free shuttle from O’Hare. There are countless things to do in Chicago, and you may wish to arrive a day early or leave a day late in order to enjoy some tourist activities; the $145 room rate will apply if you choose to do so. Make reservations online at either of these special websites the hotel has created for us, https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/rosemont/chirl/hoteldetail?fromRedirect=true&qSrt=sBR&qIta=99801505&icdv=99801505&qSlH=CHIRL&qGrpCd=NAA&setPMCookies=true&qSHBrC=HI&qDest=6600%20Mannheim%20Road%2C%20building%202%2C%20Rosemont%2C%20IL%2C%20US&srb_u=1
or https://www.holidayinn.com/redirect?path=hd&brandCode=HI&localeCode=en®ionCode=1&hotelCode=CHIRL&_PMID=99801505&GPC=NAA&cn=no&viewfullsite=true or you may call 877-424-2449 and ask for the National Academic Association special group discount rate of $145 per room, which applies for 1-4 people per room. A hot breakfast is provided at no additional charge.
Name Plates.
We like to recognize by name each contestant. For this purpose, please bring name plates for all contestants and for the team. Here’s an example of acceptable name plates (although this example lacks the team name plate) …
QUESTIONS..?
Contact the National Academic Association Phone:801-699-3424, Chip Beall, Director.
Tech support: Pat Jewell, 440-487-8781
Note: You may submit your registration form(s) any time after you’re sure your team(s) will be participating at Nationals, but the registration is not official until the entry fee(s) have been received