Team Pseudonym Policy
NAQT considers quiz bowl to be a competition among schools, and we want it perceived and presented as such. Thus, we generally require that teams compete under the names of their schools. However, we recognize that this may be difficult or impossible for teams in certain situations, so we have developed a policy on pseudonyms to address such issues.
Playing under a pseudonym does not nullify the team’s connection to the school. If the team cannot follow all of the policies listed below, the team should not play under a pseudonym.
For tournaments run under NAQT Eligibility Rules (including the HSNCT, SSNCT, and MSNCT)
- A team that wishes to compete under a pseudonym needs to have a coach or parent (not a player) write to the tournament director (or for NAQT national championships, to NAQT itself) indicating why the team is forbidden from competing under the school’s real name. This explanation must indicate why the team is prohibited from using the school name and/or specify the penalties the team’s players would face for doing so. If the circumstances are serious enough, the tournament director (or NAQT itself) will allow the use of a pseudonym.
- For NAQT national championships, such requests must be submitted at least 21 days before the beginning of the championship. For other tournaments, the tournament director may choose any time-related requirements.
- The tournament director (or NAQT itself) will choose the pseudonym.
- A pseudonymous team must still consist of players with a school affiliation who are eligible to represent a single school in accordance with the applicable Eligibility Rules.
- Playing under a pseudonym does not change any chaperone requirements or other requirements of the tournament.
For tournaments using NAQT questions but not NAQT Eligibility Rules
The tournament director may set their own policy on the use of pseudonyms by teams and on related issues (such as whether pseudonymous teams are eligible for the playoffs or for scoring awards).
For all tournaments using NAQT questions
- The tournament director must report the school(s) represented by each pseudonymous team to NAQT, as this is necessary to maintain question security. This is not just required to avoid the penalty for not reporting results, but absolutely required.
- Pseudonymous teams will be credited to their actual school when issuing invitations to national championships. It is not possible to earn additional invitations through clever tricks of pseudonymity. If a team plays under a pseudonym at one of NAQT’s national championships, it must use an invitation earned by the school.
- Pseudonymous teams may be listed under their pseudonym in NAQT’s results database. NAQT reserves the right to adjust host-approved pseudonyms that are offensive or confusing.
- Playing under a pseudonym does not change anyone’s obligations regarding question security. In particular, players from a school may not play the same questions twice, even if one or both of those times is under a pseudonym, and even if different players are involved each time. NAQT will not tolerate violations of question security policy that involve pseudonymity; schools, teams, and players involved in such situations are subject to sanctions, up to and including ban.
- NAQT reserves the right to reveal the names and schools of pseudonymous teams and players at its discretion.
- The use of a pseudonym does not change the fact that NAQT may report misconduct to school administrations, nor does it prevent NAQT from sanctioning a school for misconduct committed by members of a pseudonymous team.