INTRODUCTION

This handbook was originally compiled in 1988 to address the need of the UC Berkeley Martial Arts Program for a detailed guide on how to host a well-organized event. At that time, the prestige of the UCMAP's premier event, the annual UC Open, had been markedly reduced due to the inability of the tournament volunteers to devote sufficient time and effort to basic, yet important, matters of tournament management. Being thoroughly engrossed with their academic studies or career obligations, very little time was available for the officials to adequately address their tournament responsibilities. Too much information had to be gathered from too many different sources causing the tournaments to be run rather haphazardly. Everything from not providing advance notice for other schools to not having enough competent volunteers at the tournament itself plagued several events. More recently, this guide has been used for the inaugural George Washington University Open Championships held on April 13, 1996.

Besides not having the necessary information and the time needed to gain that information, some directors just did not know how to effectively manage a group of people. Instead of recruiting other people and dividing the workload up among several individuals, the Tournament Directors would attempt to cover all the bases by themselves, leaving several areas of the tournament sadly neglected. They could only do so much in the amount of time they gave themselves so they usually did a poor job overall.

Following the 19th UC Open, subsequent Tournament Directors were able to organize professional events that attracted more competitors each consecutive year. Within two years of implementing this guideline, the UC Open blossomed from a relatively modest tournament of 300 competitors to a hugely popular event of well over 700 competitors. Indeed, the popularity of Taekwondo in general increased dramtically during that time, but the incorporation of these guidelines allowed the UCMAP to capitalize upon that popularity and provide a quality venue for competitors of all ranks and ages that continues to the present.

With the aid of this handbook, even the busiest Tournament Director can organize a smooth running, successful tournament. In addition, each one of his assistants can quickly learn exactly what they need to do ensuring that every management area is handled by knowledgeable individuals. No longer will the chosen director dread his position as he tries to piece together his agenda. Everything he or anyone else needs to know about specific procedures and information concerning the management of a successful event is contained herein including a format for the Tournament Director to follow at each stage of his job.

The method presented on the following pages is a proven criterion for creating a successful event because it has continually proved to be an effective model of organization since the the 18th UC Open in 1987. Most of the information may appear somewhat obvious but it nonetheless provides every officer with a systematic approach to fulfilling his responsibilities that can be valuable to anyone regardless of his level of experience in such matters. This handbook is a resource that should be consulted at every opportunity.

When every contingency associated with a tournament is planned for, the actual organization of the event, as well as the tournament itself, runs much smoother and with fewer problems. This, in turn, leads to a better impression upon the competitors and visiting instructors since they are not confused and can concentrate entirely on their preparation, warmups, and matches. The competitor's main concern should be the competition and not unsigned registration papers or the like. By following these guidelines, the tournament committee will achieve the ultimate goal of providing the competitors with the optimal conditions for outstanding performances. The tournament committee should do everything it can to make the event run as it is designed through rigorous preparation on the part of the volunteers.