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BGonline.org Forums
recording of college matches
Posted By: Phil Simborg In Response To: recording of college matches (Michael Petch)
Date: Monday, 2 May 2011, at 7:35 a.m.
Let's set the record straight. No one, including me, barred anyone from watching the collegiate nationals. Many did watch and the spirit was fun, and it was an important event, and spectators were most welcome. As per the rules on SHG anyone watching a match is free to record it, and nobody stopped anyone or objected. We did not publicize how people played because it simply wouldn't be a nice thing to do...most of these players were relatively new and for most this was their first tournament. I am pleased that everyone (that I know of) that recorded matches had the good judgment and were kind enough not to publicize matches or PR ratings. Our goal is to get more new players into the game and give them a safe, fun environment to learn. The competition is also fun and exciting and encourages these relative beginners to learn the game better, and the more they learn the game and the more they invest in learning the game the more likely they will love the game and stay with it.
AFTER the nationals were complete, I worked out an arrangement with the very nice folks at SHG to have a separate room for college competition. The purpose is to have a place where they can go and find other college players to compete against, have their ratings kept, and develop both some camaraderie and continuing competition. There will also be ongoing team events to keep the team spirit alive, as that is a major incentive to keep playing--to support your teammates and school. We don't want to lose these players over the summer. We want them to have a safe, fun place to gather, socialize, compete, and become more involved in the game. In addition to challenge matches, we will be running tournaments--not for money or prizes, but just for the joy of competing and just to give them a reason to continue to improve their game and have some fun doing it.
When Bill Patterson publicly stated his intention to go to the room and watch and record matches, both Chuck Bower and I suggested that not only was there little for him to gain from that in the way of increasing his backgammon skills, but it could be intimidating to the players to know that others are watching and recording. Bill's reaction to this, and obviously others as well, was to become indignant that they "have the right" to watch and record whatever they want. Bill has sent a letter to Perry complaining about this policy and continues to make posts here which have obviously gotten others like Mr. Petch to find cause to criticize.
The truth is, we do have the ability to make the room private and only allow registered USBGF Youth members and their coaches and approved volunteers (who have already given much of their personal time and effort getting these kids involved and helping them learn the game) into the room.
NO DECISION or action has been taken in this area as yet, but it is a consideration, and I personally fail to see why it is such a horrible thing to let the college players socialize and play each other without worrying about comment, recording, or scrutiny from others.
Let's keep the eye on the ball here--our goal, and a tremendous amount of work has gone into this by a lot of people, and will continue, is to get more young people playing and loving backgammon. Just as we have a responsible to keep hustlers away from new players when they show up at a club or tournament, we also want to make sure these young, new players do not feel intimidated and enjoy their new experience playing and learning a new game.
Instead of fighting us, it would be lovely if the backgammon community would support this effort and help encourage the growth of the game and help support the volunteers and the organization that is working very hard to grow the game. And by the way, its working. Though we only started this collegiate program a little over 3 months ago, we already have 19 colleges with established backgammon clubs, including such schools as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Northwestern, UCLA and many other great institutions. We have close to 80 more colleges where we have made contact with students or professors that are working with us to start clubs in the fall. We are working hard looking for sponsors to help fund tournaments, scholarships, pay for backgammon boards, and provide other benefits to reward these kids for their efforts and participation. Bottom line, HUNDREDS of people are now playing backgammon regularly that were not before, and hundreds more in colleges all over the country are hearing about their school's backgammon club and backgammon team, and soon those hundreds of players will be teaching their friends, their parents, and their little brothers and sisters to play. And soon, there will be hundreds more.
How terrible a thing is it to ask to please let them have their games without fear of being recorded (except for a major event like the nationals) and let them have a place where they can meet with their coaches and get free lessons without interference from others? And by the way, PLEASE note that I said "please," and used that word many times with Mr. Patterson asking him to please understand and not make an issue of this, as it truly is not important to his life to record these kids' matches. And it was compounded by the fact that he made these intentions public.
Even if you don't agree, why make a battle out of this and criticize me, the USBGF, SHG, or anyone who is trying to do something of value for the game....just how important is it for Bill Patterson or anyone else to record a bunch of novice and intermediate players' matches for their own viewing, especially when there are thousands of other matches going on in SHG that can be watched and recorded and there are many other ways to get recorded matches, including making your own on your favorite bot? Why distract us from our volunteer efforts by having to defend ourselves and answer accusatory letters and posts over this? Keep in mind, we are all volunteers--none of us are being paid or expect to be paid for our efforts to enlist college (and high school) students, teach them the game, organize events, set up a room for them, find sponsors, get them boards, find additional volunteers to coach each team and help with the program. Why not cut us a little slack and be supportive, or at least not be negative and not be a problem unless there really is a legitimate complaint. And even then, why not try to work things out nicely and privately so as not to try to undermine the organization and people publicly?
Some people just love to pick a fight, but jeeze, pick one that makes some sense and pick one with someone who has really done something wrong or with bad motives.
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