UCPC is next weekend, are you going?

The Ultimate Coaches and Players Conference is next weekend in Boston, Mass. Are you going? Did you go last year? Why or why not for either question?

For those of you who went last year, how many people attended total? Via inference from the website i see that the first 30 registrants option has already passed plus at least 15 presenters seems that there is a good number of people attending.

What i am wondering i guess is if the appeal for a conference of this type will begin to expand beyond people who already play ultimate. I realize that the title and stated purpose for the conference might not directly intend for this. But consider the benefits for physical education teachers or school athletic directors to learn about a new sport they could offer in their classes or as extra curricular.

For those who have attended, do you think something like this is possible? Probable?

I'm curious. Seems like an exciting thing to be a part of either way and very informative it would seem as well given the presenters.

Thoughts in general...

UCPC HS Panelists

The HS panelists for the upcoming Ultimate Coaches and Players Conference have been set:

Tyler Kenney - Nipmuc, MA
Kate Desrochers - St. Johnsbury, VT
Adam Salwen - Amherst, MA
Isaac Saul - Pennsbury, PA

I have a comprehensive list of youth Ultimate topics that I'd like to discuss, but I'm interested in what everyone out there thinks would be good topics to jump into. What questions should I throw at these kids?

You can register for the UCPC right here.

2006 - the PlayUltimate Year in Review - Most Commented Posts

After much delay, the 5 posts with the most comments for the year 2006...

5./ 32 Comments - 11/10/06 - Open Thread

4./ 35 Comments - 10/20/06 - Fall Brawl Open Thread

3./ 41 Comments - 5/20/06 - Westerns' Weekend Open Thread

2./ 41 Comments - 11/1/06 - Fall PHUL 2006

1./ 54 Comments - 10/22/06 - Cold Fusion October 28th, 29th

I have a feeling that these records will be shattered in the year to come, i have a feeling everyone will be more chatty about Easterns and Westerns - possible upsets always make for some interesting banter. Just keep it civil and we'll all do fine.

Any other favorite articles from the past year? Feel free to post a link as a comment.

(the UCPC in Boston is tomorrow, and I'm sure our other contributors will be weighing in with developments and commentary on the subject, but ill put up an open thread if anyone has some last minute things they'd like to hear from the conference)

How to run a high school Ultimate tournament

On Saturday January 27th I will be presenting at the UCPC on the topic, "How to run a High School Ultimate tournament".

My presentation will cover issues from basic tournament essentials to how to expand your event to the next level. For the past five years a big part of my life has revolved around high school Ultimate tournaments, so I have developed many strong opinions on what makes for a successful event. Over the next couple weeks I would like to further expand on my ideas by posing the following questions to the PlayUltimate community:

1) In your opinion what are the most important traits of a well run HS Ultimate tournament?

2) What are your Ultimate tournament pet peeves?

3) If you've ever organized an Ultimate tournament, what advice would you give to people who are thinking about running a HS Ultimate tournament for the first time?

4) What do you think is the most crucial element that separates well run HS tournaments from poorly run HS tournaments?