Academic Initiative is pleased to announce the 2007 Mid-Atlantic Season Opener, a high school quiz bowl tournament to be held on Saturday, September 15, 2007, at Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville, Maryland.

This tournament will follow the game format used on the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore area television show It's Academic as closely as is reasonably possible. Each game will feature two teams competing against each other and will consist of 5 rounds:

Round 1: 8 tossup questions, all related to a common topic (such as the 19th century), worth 10 points each
Round 2: 5 team questions for each team worth 20 points each
Round 3: 8 tossup questions, all based on accompanying visuals, worth 10 points each
Round 4: 8 team questions for each team worth 20 points each (25 point bonus for all 8 correct)
Round 5: 15 tossup questions worth 20 or 30 points each

All of the questions for this tournament are written and edited by Academic Initiative, and each school competing in the event will receive a free electronic copy of all of the questions used following the tournament. For teams not competing in this tournament, the questions will be available for purchase from our website.

The tournament entry fee structure is as follows:

Base entry fee: $50 per team
Buzzer system discount: $10 per fully functional buzzer system
Minimum entry fee: $0

Other discounts may apply to schools designated under Title I. All payments by check should be made payable to Academic Initiative.

Capacity for this tournament is limited to the first 48 teams to register, and as such, it is anticipated that each team will receive between 5 and 7 preliminary matches with the top 16 teams advancing to the playoff rounds in the afternoon. As this event is particularly designed to help prepare teams who have early taping dates for the 2007-08 It's Academic season, we would like to accomodate as many different schools as possible. Therefore, a maximum of two teams from each school will be accepted into the tournament field. Any teams beyond that number will be placed on a waiting list and will only be added to the field if there is available space after the registration deadline of September 8.

If you are interested in registering for this tournament, there are several options available to you:

1. Completing the online registration form (most recommended method)
2. E-mailing the tournament director, David Bykowski, at dbykowski@aiquizbowl.com
3. Contacting Academic Initiative by phone at (301) 379-1570
4. Returning the registration form sent by mail to:

   Academic Initiative
   9106-B Town and Country Boulevard
   Ellicott City, Maryland 21043
   

We look forward to seeing you on September 15!

Sincerely,

Jessie Bykowski
Vice-President for Recruiting, Academic Initiative
Tournament Director, 2007 Mid-Atlantic Season Opener