Georgia Odyssey of the Mind State Finals

Notes for Coaches and Teams

Congratulations on advancing to the State Finals! We hope you have a wonderful day. Please refer back to your coaches’ notes for the regional competition as a general guide to tournament procedures.

1.        Coaches, parents, and teams are invited to preview problem sites on Friday evening only between 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. All students must be accompanied by an adult. All sites may not be open. Check with an official in the Lumpkin Center before going to a site.

2.        We are asking that at least one coach from every team try to arrive on Friday evening for Express Check-in, which will be held in the Lumpkin Center from 6:45 – 8:00 p.m. We do not need a media release form to be turned in at check-in but we need a typed or printed roster of team members with complete mailing addresses. The form can be found on our website here. It must be turned in before receiving the team’s packet. Please fill in all information asked for on the form. Pin orders may be picked up at check-in. (Please do not distribute the pins for trading until teams arrive on campus on Saturday.) Following check-in, a brief meeting will be held for all coaches from 8:00 – 8:30 p.m.

3.        Weighing and measuring for Unhinged Structure will be in the CSU International House Saturday beginning Saturday at 9:00 a.m. Structures will be placed in bags and secured until competition time.

4.        Late Check-in will be held on Saturday from 7:15 – 7:45 a.m. in the Lumpkin Center.

5.        Promptly at 7:45 a.m., teams will line up for the Banner Parade in the rear of Lumpkin Center. The banner used at Regional, a new banner, or a membership sign may be carried. These will again be judged and certificates will be awarded. Promptly at 8:00 a.m., we will begin the Banner Parade. If the membership name is not clearly written on the banner please have a piece of paper with the membership name written on it to give to the board member at the head of the line. PLEASE – Only team members in the line up for the banner parade.

6.        Souvenir tables will be set up all day at the main entrance of Lumpkin Center.

7.        Room lights for individual sites cannot be dimmed.

8.        Floor surfaces for Extreme Mousemobiles will be composite.

9.        Snacks and soft drinks will be available throughout the day in the main entrance of Lumpkin Center.

10.     Barbeque sandwiches, hot dogs and nachos will be for sale during the lunch hour in the entrance of Lumpkin Center. Popcorn, chips, and soft drinks will also be available. Country’s Barbeque will be in charge of providing lunch. The CSU cafeteria (located in the Davidson Center, ground floor) will be open from 7 a.m. for breakfast and will remain open until 2 p.m.

11.     Inevitably, the judging at State Finals is stricter. As we narrow down to State and World Champions, expect the rules to be strictly followed. Check for last-minute clarifications and review the Program Guide & the limitations and rules of your problem carefully!

12.     Following their performances, encourage your students to enjoy themselves, watch other teams, purchase souvenirs, enjoy a snack, etc.

13.     The Awards Ceremony will begin approximately one hour after the last long-term competition is completed. Please keep in mind that we cannot begin this ceremony until all scores have been reported and processed.

14.     We suggest that teams leave all equipment in their vehicles until ready to set up in the staging area. Storage areas cannot be provided.

15.     Sportsmanship, team spirit, and cooperation have always been outstanding in Georgia Odyssey of the Mind. We look forward to an exciting State Finals! Please do not move or remove any signs.

16.     World Finals information will be placed in the first and second place winners’ packets. One coach from each team advancing to World Finals must stay after closing for a meeting with the State Director. This meeting usually lasts about an hour.

17.     A mini Creativity Festival (similar to the one at World Finals) will be offered on the grassy plot between Lumpkin Center and the softball field, weather permitting. An entire team may participate in these activities for $5 a team. We will be offering these activities between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Shirt Bingo will begin at 3 p.m. in Room 158 of the Lumpkin Center. Winners of the Bingo games may select a shirt. We have some GA shirts and lots of shirts from other states and countries who have participated in past World Finals. Teams do not need to bring a cake.

18.     We will again have a pin map with pins collected at World Finals 2010. For one dollar, you will receive a kiss (chocolate) and will be able to put your name in the box. During the Awards Ceremony, names will be drawn for the one pin map winner and one plush dragon winner.

19.     Make sure that all trash is put in its proper place. There will be a dumpster behind Lumpkin Center for large items. Please, NO FOOD OR DRINKS in any building except the Lumpkin Center. Look for places to recycle your cans and bottles.

20.     Please see that your team is supervised at ALL times.

21.     Our web site will have a map of the campus with available parking lots marked. All busses, RVs, or vehicles with trailers must park in Clearview lot #34. You may unload props and sets close to your performance site, but will not be able to park your vehicle in theses areas.

22.     Questions? For all scheduling concerns contact Betsey Zachry at Betsey@GeorgiaOdyssey.org by March 27. You should have noted any specific needs on the registration form which you filled out after your regional tournament. For non-schedule concerns call Jeanne Fessenden, 706-324-3142, or email her at Jeanne@GeorgiaOdyssey.org.