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Post by Zigmister on Sept 23, 2010 23:19:21 GMT -6
Talked to the team, we are still 100% on coming that weekend, but they said to early to make a decision on what they want. We're easy, don't really care what goes down that much.
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Post by WKU-Perrone-76 on Sept 24, 2010 0:08:18 GMT -6
I think my team may try and also come up for this, and actually November 14th works way better for me, because I was really really wanting to go to a concert on the 13th, but was going to skip it for dodgeball, now maybe I can do both! haha. But I'll give you a definitive answer in about a week.
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Post by IanChilds-MSU-C on Sept 24, 2010 11:15:24 GMT -6
WIU, BGSU, DePaul, and hopefully WKU. this is looking awesome. I'm contacting the people at the local Aim High facility today. It's just down the road from MSU and they have a setup similar to BGSU, with basketball courts and the drop down nets.
I'm still shooting for the 13th.
I'll let you all know ASAP.
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Post by falcongirl12 on Sept 25, 2010 8:56:23 GMT -6
We are down for the 14th...as long as it stays in that weekend we should be fine.
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Post by IanChilds-MSU-C on Oct 2, 2010 15:25:57 GMT -6
I still plan on November 13. I'm in the works with a representative from the Lansing Sports Authority and he has set me up with a conference call with the local AIM High facility Monday Morning at 11:30 and we should be all set after that. They have a great setup similar set up to BGSU with the 5 side by side courts and drop down nets in-between.
This is actually better for all of the teams making the trip anyways because it should cut your travel time by about 45 minutes since AIM High is South of MSU. There are also local hotels (less than 5 mins from the facilities) that I am working on getting discounted rates with for you guys if you're interested.
There are 5 openings and right now my confirmed teams are DePaul, BGSU, WIU, and probably WKU. That leaves one more spot. I'm hoping Kent State fills it but I am waiting to hear back with a definite yes or no. If I cannot find another team I will defer to Eastern Michigan University before any other MI team simply because they're the newest team in proximity to MSU, they have expressed interest, and this is their best chance to play non-MI teams and gain some confidence.
As you can probably imagine, their MDC experience this past February was rough. They were a new team playing in a tournament against some of the league's best teams. Not exactly a confidence builder. This is probably their only chance aside from Nationals to see any of the other teams that will be featured in the tournament. So hopefully everyone is cool with me going to them first.
Please email me with private questions or concerns. childsia@msu.edu
I'll have more information for all of you on Monday evening.
Thanks guys.
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Post by mccarthy55cmu on Oct 3, 2010 0:23:55 GMT -6
Ian, if no Kent or EMU don't want it CMU calls next. haha
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Post by KFitz on Oct 3, 2010 12:17:02 GMT -6
Pretty confident I can get 15 guys to MSU.
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Post by IanChilds-MSU-C on Oct 4, 2010 10:20:31 GMT -6
Kyle, you're gonna hate me, but I've been in contact with Zac Brown from Kentucky, and UK has 100% confirmed with me as of yesterday. BGSU, DePaul, WIU, UK, WKU, and MSU are the six teams I have down right now. This is a great mix of teams from around the league that only Nationals could top. If anyone drops out you'll be my first go-to team if you're interested, and if you're unable to then I'll go to EMU. After that It'll be up for grabs between the remaining MI teams. I'm pretty confident that this tournament won't be plagued by drops outs though since the teams all seem very intent on coming. Venue is secured. Waiting to hear back with our price for renting the facilities. I should hear back by the end of the day. There is also a hotel next door (walking distance). It's a Comfort Inn and it offers lower rates for people in our tournament/ group rates. I'm also waiting to hear back on those. We will also have an electronic local reference guide with maps and restaurants and stuff that in the area. I'll email the guide out to each team when I receive it.
Looking forward to the tournament!
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Post by KFitz on Oct 4, 2010 13:40:02 GMT -6
I don't hate you, I understand that I was slow on a confirmation. That being said I still want to attend this tournament, Would you be interested in making the tournament larger? I understand that it would make scheduling more difficult, but if you have access to 5 courts. and 1-2 more teams very interested in coming (Kent, & I would really like to see EMU should attend this tournament) you could have a very promising tournament. And would be a great showcase of non Michigan teams in the league. But I do understand the associated headache of hosting more teams. But this way even if teams do drop, you end up with your desired 6 tournament.
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Post by Zigmister on Oct 4, 2010 14:02:07 GMT -6
We haven't made our hotel yet. We had a quote of 5 rooms at $76/night at the Howard Johnson near your campus, so let us know about the discounted rate.
and i'd like to see Kent and EMU there too... 8 teams make for a neat bracket hint hint nudge nudge. Bomis is like super ref, can't he take care of like three games at once?
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Post by IanChilds-MSU-C on Oct 4, 2010 14:50:05 GMT -6
Problem is I've already got the court space set and a price agreed on with the people that run the facility. They're charging us $400 to use two courts at their facility for the day. Because MSU decided to screw us over on court space the tourney will be at AIM High in Dimondale, MI. This is South of EL and should make for a shorter trip for all of the teams attending. Also, it's right off the high way so you won't have to navigate around town to find the place. If this goes well we may look into trying to host Nationals out there in an upcoming year (although that'll be up to whoever is running the team because I'll be gone). www.aimhighsports.com/The website has a 360 degree virtual tour of the facility and under the accommodations tab you can see the hotels that offer deals. I'm in the process of working with the Comfort Inn, which is the first hotel listed when you click on this tab. The Comfort Inn is also right next door, so you can walk to and from the hotel to the sports complex. I'm hoping each team will be willing to pay $40 to play. Which only adds up to $2 per person on a 20 person roster. Last year we charged $30 per team at the MSU Invite, but it was at MSU which wasn't as expensive to rent courts. Plus we had to spend an extra $100 for an athletic trainer. We won't have to do that at AIM High because they'll supply their own. If paying $40 per team is a huge problem then my team can probably cover the costs, but hopefully it won't be a major issue. Money will be fairly tight for us because we'll be fresh off ordering out new t-shirts and uniforms. It's about to be a monster of an order. Hopefully you guys are all as excited as I am about this tournament!
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Post by wiudodgeball on Oct 4, 2010 18:33:17 GMT -6
sounds great
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Post by Dugans-20-EMU-C on Oct 13, 2010 1:56:16 GMT -6
Hey Ian, It sounds like your full, but i know EMU would be interested in playing if somebody falls out or if you expanded it. We are looking to get the new guys some "real game" experience as opposed to just the pick up games we are doing 3 days a week on campus. Its great to have the turnout and commitment, but until they see the real thing it is really hard to get a feel for what to expect.
Anyway if MSU would like to scrimmage or do some pick up stuff after your tournament in november also keep us in mind again for the reasons I mentioned.
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Post by IanChilds-MSU-C on Oct 13, 2010 7:53:54 GMT -6
Dugans- absolutely. We would love to have a scrimmage with you guys. I have a bunch of first year players that have never played in a real game either and a scrimmage with EMU would be great for them. If you guys are able to come to MSU let me know, otherwise let me know what dates you'd be willing to have me send a group down your way.
Just a heads up, I know DePaul said they had rates at $76 per room/night in EL, and I've been told that the Comfort Inn (next door to AIM High, featured on the AIM High website) can offer us $80 per room /night (which I'm looking into getting lowered if my guy ever gets back to me with better discounted rates).
Saturday November 13 is our date. Tourney is at AIM High.
AIM High is in Dimondale, MI which is about 30-45 minutes south of EL, so that should cut all of your driving time by that amount. It is also located directly off the highway so you won't have to navigate through any towns. Plus, as I said before, the hotel is right next door.
The AIM High website listed in my previous post can supply you all with directions to their facilities.
Like I said, we're being charged $400 to use two courts at AIM high for the day. So if each of our five visiting teams would be willing to pay $40 to play (adding up to $200) then MSU will cover the remaining $200. We're actually sending them a check for the full $400 sometime this week, I'm just waiting on the contract in the mail. So MSU will pay the whole $400, and essentially you guys would be paying MSU back $40 per team which adds up to $200.
I'll probably get there around 10:30-10:45am for setup. I want to have a quick captains meeting by 11:30am, and we'll hopefully start no later than 12noon. You guys are welcome to come early if you want. We'll be done no later than 6pm.
There are full locker rooms at AIM High. There should also be a snack bar with various foods if your teams want to buy anything. I'm pretty sure we can't bring a ton of outside food (like 50 hot and ready's lol), but if you guys bring your own infividual food that should be fine. It's a full day tourney, so people will definitely get hungry.
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Post by Zigmister on Oct 13, 2010 10:45:29 GMT -6
ahhh 11:30am? good god, i am not looking forward to waking up at 6am
Also, if EMU wants experience, they should play DePaul. we'll show you the real thing.
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