NMLF:
It was great to see everybody at the club last night. I finally got Wednesday nights off, so I'm back! (Hey, Hartung; Thanks for the Draw!!) - I've read most of your stuff about the crazy profits these guys make... Question: Is there any controlling authority which governs how the scholastic events are run
concerning entry fees and how much
they must pay back and are they required
to provide any public accounting? It is my
understanding that they have given the winner a
$1,000-1,500 scholarship for the past 15-20 years!? The average resident
tuition now for UNC Chapel Hill is
$24,120 per year! Coupled with all of the other
living expenses, $1,500
is a joke!! I mean, they've
raised the Entry Fee to $65!? With over 600 players (not
really sure exactly how many, since it still
hasn't even been rated yet and it's not even
mentioned on the NCCA website?) my
estimate is that the event grossed over $25,000! Seems like they could give out a dozen scholarships! Why isn't most of
that money given back to the scholastic
community? Sorry to step on anybody's
toes... I'm just sayin'Jason "1st Amendment" Mytrysak
Jason:
It's great to have you back! (Now, you owe Eric one!) To answer your question, according to their "Articles of Incorporation," the NCCA is indeed responsible for control of the event where official accounting "should be" required. Unfortunately, for many years, no control, whatsoever, has been exercised over the organizers who "risk" conducting these events either by the President nor the Vice President of Scholastics nor any supposed "Committee!?" Nor, can anyone explain why, in this age of computerized everything, the $35, 2 month early Entry Fee must be almost doubled at the site to $65? Years ago, we used pairing cards which took time, effort and energy. Now, it might take all of 30 seconds to access the players name from the USCF database and take his money! These guys are making more than enough profit to beef up their staff and provide for early morning registration at the site. A $5-10 penalty would be reasonable. After all, once all of the names are entered, the computer creates all of the pairings in seconds!
Furthermore, lately, the trend in these large events seems to be to advertise an array of different Entry Fees making it virtually impossible for anyone to accurately calculate anything? Unless, of course, this year's organizer, NM Peter Giannatos, promptly provides a thorough accounting of the event... According to the standard agreement, the "room nights" required should have more than paid for the entire use of the hotel. Furthermore, "team rooms" can generate significant extra income for the organizer. How many, if any, were "rented" to out-of-town teams is anyone's guess?! The one major expense is the "unwritten" agreement that the organizer will pay the NCCA $9 for every entry received! In this case, it amounted to approximately $5,500. From that, the $1,500 scholarship is paid. And, of course, maybe $500 for trophies. After paying Directors and volunteers and other miscellaneous expenses, of the estimated $25,000+ received, please identify the expenses associated with the remaining $18,000. (My, distinguished adviser, the Honorable Paul "Survivalist" Lucas, calls it "professional jealousy!")
Allow me to remind you, Jason, that I have been on this bandwagon since we questioned the accounting of the 2009 NC Scholastics. In doing so, I was ganged up upon and my reputation was unduly tarnished basically for being a "snitch!" I never accused anyone of anything... I only asked questions which were never adequately answered. Is anybody doing anything illegal? P-r-o-b-a-b-l-y not. But, like you say, "Why isn't most of that money given back to the scholastic community?" According to one popular organizer, "that extra money could have helped bring some kids from remote towns whose parents couldn't afford an expensive hotel room and a high entry fee?" The utter lack of oversight last year allowed organizer Bill Clausen to deny refunds to players who paid an Early Entry Fee but were unable to participate in the event?! It was estimated that his "non-profit organization" generated over $20K profit!?
Why hasn't the President of the NCCA, Kevin Hyde, addressed this issue? Why hasn't the Vice President of Scholastics, Venkataraja Shanmugavadivel voiced his opinion nor written one report about this issue nor any other? You may call it what you wish. But, I call it negligence... (Jason "1st Amendment" Mytrysak is a more effective advocate for the North Carolina scholastic chess community than either one of those guys; and he lives in South Carolina!) By the way, we are making progress!! Four months into their term, they have finally posted their contact information on the NCCA webpage!
I'll see you at the Charlotte Chess Club next Wednesday. Don't forget about Big Cookie II, Saturday, February 28. Your name is already on the list!
NM Leland "Ennui" Fuerstman
Charlotte Chess Club