Wow, What more do teams like the Nightmare who have made a legitimate name for themselves need to do? I think Compuware just pulls the file drawer from the year prior and if you resend you are in. Saw some great teams up there these last few years and some so... so....
JMO
I think that is part of it - if you were there before, you are usually back the next year if you choose to be.
The GC Nightmare are an
OUTSTANDING team, and definitely should be there. Their weakness? - Not a "large" organization. I get the sense that larger organizations, with strong organizational names get priority because they can fill multiple age slots year after year, and thus bringing "predictably" excellent talent and competitive play (that college coaches will be "geeked" over and see time/value).
For single teams, it is tough unless you have a HUGE name, or a marketing department. Not justifying it, just expressing opinion from past experience.
If I were trying to get my single team into Compuware, Stingrays, or similar, I would focus on a few things in a letter to the selection committee (whether they asked for it or not):
* Record
* Past tournament performance (Semi-Finals & Finals, Championships)
* Head-to-head versus well known teams (especially THEIR "regular" participants)
* Team goals (to compete and beat the best in the Midwest, and why you are going to be successful do this)
* Players - THE reasons why college coaches will be excited to come to their tournament and stop to see YOUR team (PROSPECTS!!)
Bottom line - their goals are to make money (participation year over year), maintain a reputation as a premier tournament (Strong competition), draw college coaches (to see players/talent) .... and to more easily perpetuate this by inviting teams/org's that can offer these things now, and predictably going forward.
JMHO ...
