January 21, 2012

I wish all a very happy and prosperous New Year. At this time, I will provide the specific information regarding our three District tournaments. Please read all of this carefully to insure the smooth running of our contests.

Once again, we will be using the Joy of Tournaments to run the districts. This program works with all the NFL rules.

Remember, as per NFL rules, you must register both online AND via paper. You may download a "pre-populated" registration form from the [Entries] page of this website after you've entered your team.  The form for registration is also available online at http://www.nflonline.org/uploads/DistrictInformation/dt404reg.pdf.

Any student who wishes to compete in a second entry must also complete the Single Letter of Intent form available on the NFL website at http://www.nflonline.org/uploads/AboutNFL/dt403nt_sglentry.pdf.

Call me at 516-480-4720 on the day of either tournament if you are running late.  Give me any drops at that time.

I. POLICY, LINCOLN-DOUGLAS, AND PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE TOURNAMENT

DATE: Feb. 24-25 (Friday and Saturday)

B. SITE: Regis H.S.

C. TIMES: Friday: registration begins at 1 PM. Registration will close at 1:30 p.m., and the first round will begin at 1:45 p.m. We will have three rounds on Friday. Saturday: be present at 8:45 a.m. Rounds will begin at 9:00 a.m.

D. RESOLUTIONS: the annual NFL resolved for policy, the Jan./Feb. NFL resolved for LD, and the Feb. NFL resolved for PF.

E. FEES: Each school will have a $10.00 registration fee for each contest (debate and/or speech) in addition to the fee of $9.00 for each contestant. Make all checks payable to NEW YORK CITY NFL.

F. JUDGES: Friday: one judge for each two teams or fraction thereof; one judge for two L-D debaters or fraction. Saturday: one judge for each team or L-D debater remaining. NOTE: we will use one judge for each debate in the first two rounds, and three judges thereafter.

G. NUMBERS: you may enter up to four in each form of debate, but you may not exceed the total number of entries based on your chapter strength (see NFL webpage).

H. DROPS: you may not drop any judges after you have registered. If you drop a judge or do not bring the number of judges required, you will be assessed a fine of $250.00 for each absent judge. You must pay the fees for all students who are dropped. All fines and fees must be paid BEFORE students may participate in the tournament. No debater may participate until all fines and fees are paid.

I. QUOTAS/DOUBLE ENTRY: students entering ANY two events (debate, speech, or Congress or combination thereof) MUST fill out an intent form BEFORE competing in any event, indicating the event they will attend Nationals should they qualify for more than one. EXCEPTION: if BOTH members of a team event also qualify in a single event category, they MAY BOTH enter the single event; however, if only one member of a team double qualifies, both students MUST attend the nationals as a team. Students may not enter two debate events.

II. SPEECH TOURNAMENT

DATE:  March 4 (Saturday only)

B. SITE: Syosset H.S.

C. TIME:  Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. We would like to begin Round I at 9:00 a.m., so please be prompt. Remember, if you are running late, call me at 516-480-4720 on the day of the tournament. At other times, call me at 516-742-5555 X463 or email me at jmcgrory@chaminade-hs.org D. EVENTS: Dramatic Interp, Humorous Interp, Original Oratory, International Extempore, Domestic Extempore, and Duo Interp. NOTE: Students MAY double enter in speech EXCEPT in the two Extemps. (See note I above).

E. FEES: each chapter will have a $10.00 registration fee, plus $9.00 per speaker. Make all checks payable to NEW YORK CITY NFL.

F. JUDGES: One judge for every TWO speakers or fraction. (Duo Interp team counts as one). We will use the California Plan. Failure to bring a required judge based on registration will result in a $250.00 fine per judge. No speaker may participate until all fees and fines are paid.

G. NUMBERS: you may enter up to four in each event, but you may not exceed the total number of entries based on your chapter strength (as of 7 work days before the contest—check NFL webpage).

NOTES:

1. The total number of entries for the debate and speech tournaments is determined by quota, based on the number of degrees you have on record at the national office as of Feb. 17 for debate and Feb. 26 for speech.

2. It is to everyone's advantage that each chapter send its maximum number of entries to both contests. As you know, the district can qualify up to 4 students/teams to nationals depending on the number actually competing in each event.

3. PRELIMINARY REGISTRATION:  Please read the registration sheet carefully, and then complete it exactly. The coach AND the principal must sign this form.  I MUST HAVE THAT REGISTRATION FORM NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17 if you are entering debate. If you are entering speech only, then I must receive it by February 24. You may fax it to me (516-742-1989). Furthermore, I require a clean typescript of any original oration you MIGHT enter in the tournament no later than Friday, Feb. 18. The typescript must be endorsed with a statement that the work is the student's own. The student must sign the statement, and the coach must countersign. In addition, you are reminded that NFL rules require your students to have with them the COMPLETE ORIGINAL SOURCES and any material used in dramatic, humorous, or duo interp (microfilm and microfische acceptable). . You may not drop a judge after you have registered. If you do not bring your required number of judges, you school will be assessed a $250.00 fine for each judge not present. You will have to pay all fees for students who are dropped. Students may not participate until all fees and fines are paid.

III. STUDENT CONGRESS:

The Congress will be held on Saturday, March 31 at Cathedral Preparatory  I will send more details later, but I suggest that your students begin working on legislation as soon as possible.

Sincerely yours, 

Bro. John G. McGrory, S.M.
Chair, New York City NFL