Region 15 NUS

[IRISHMAFIA]

Our NUS is this weekend in Olympia - begins tonight. It sounds like we have a similiar deal with our bartenders already set up - $5 buy in to an open bar. 8 NUS instructors, plus KR showing up to "observe" how we continually and successfully pull off a NUS with over 200 attendees (I think last count we were at 210 or so..) He doesn't think it's possible to be successful (even though we proved the NUS wrong in 2006 with 276 attendees). It's gonna be a good time!

Well, from previous posts you all know I stand on the side that believes very large schools are generally not a good thing for the umpire.

I was privileged to have a conversation with an individual which confirmed the assertions that this was a very good and well-conducted school. Of course, I was given a bit more of an insight to how they accomplish this enormous fete. They bribed the instructors!!!! Or, at least, that is what KR questioned when all evaluated the school in an extremely positive manner. Turned out they did not bribe the instructors, but the instructors' wives since this was Valentine's Day Weekend. As much as this can be seen as humorous, it was probably a very well-calculated and effective plan to insure the future of such a school. Like the discussion about how umpires are treated at a national tournament, you know these instructors will brag on how well they and their spouses were treated at this school. That means Wild Bill will probably receive a few phone calls, e-mails and maybe a token or two from member of the NUS who want to share in the Region's generosity with the instructors. This school will never have a problem getting instructors to come to the PNW.

I, also, discovered that the facilities and equipment provided the instructors was technologically top notch as it should be in that part of the country (Bill Gates probably set up the projector) and first class all the way and that is important when addressing that many people.

When it came to drills, I understand there were two separate gym-type accommodations. Apparently, this allowed the staff to basically separate and run the drills as if there were two different schools with multiple drills on each floor.

Our local Reg. 15 representatives can either expand upon or correct any of this. However, I'm impressed. I could only dream of having such facilities available to me. In the past couple of years, I have priced out certain facilities in my area that are not even close to what they had in Olympia and it came down to spending a few thousand before I could even put my hand on the doorknob.

Maybe I will make it out there some year for their school.

[SRW]

Thank you for the kudos.

There is one correction tho - Bill Gates didn't set up the projector. Yours truly did about half the time.

It was hosted at a high school. The school in 2006 was done the same way. We use the auditorium for the general lectures, the gyms and the football field for the drills. We tried to keep the instructor-to-student ratio at 1 NUStaff per 25 students. Each NUStaff had 2 to 3 "helpers" consisting of the State and Metro UIC's, and select experienced umpires (i.e.: L. Bish). We had catered lunch the first day, and sub sandwiches the second day. Hotel was about 1/2 mile from the school. Hospitality each night was the open bar concept. It worked very well, and the reduced hours kept us all in check (for the most part).

As for the pricing - yes, the high school charged the NUSchool. My understanding was that the local umpire association unfortunately lost money on the whole deal, given the expenses of everything. How much I'm not sure.

I can tell ya that if/when we host another one, we'd love to have anyone come. Even you, Mike.

[azbigdawg]

I also have heard good things about that school. We had about 130 here with only 4 instructors. we also had "helpers" assigned to each instructor, and over all, it went VERY well...