Yow what a party! Parties, I mean. AND great workshop attendance. Accolades to all as we look back upon the incredible positive energy and team spirit at tourney 2000. We couldn't have asked for better guests.

The workshops had great focus too. How 'bout that Hot Karl? Jerm Pollet, Owen Egerton, Nietsche's Trailerpark? And how 'bout the charm and energy of our groups and staff hosting?

One sticky moment when Chicago was summarily disqualified from a match when their show script was discovered. Luckily Richmond was in the house and turned lemons into Dom Perignon. Ask someone who knows..

Humor University, Big Stinkin Festival, Mangia restaurants, all showed up to schmooze the league.

I think you all would have been happy with the quality of the shows.

Some of the play was nothing short of brilliant (ask anyone about LA's "Breathless" Boy Group number). Phoenix got their first tournament slot and played well. DC fielded a team too. Eugene opted to wait to debut at tourney 2001. Green Bay played as ComedyCity.

Audiences were strong and happy. As predicted, we sold slightly more than half of our 360 WED-THURS seats and almost 90% of our 600+ weekend seats. Also as predicted, this allowed just enough showroom seats for Managers to almost always be offered seats and all players offered 1 or 2 seats for the week. That also means every match had a full house. The viewing room in the Annex worked well with seperate sound and a 10' diagonal jumbotron screen. And BEVERAGES.

As far as promo goes, the TV spots we ran were well received and we sent groups to several radio shows and a CBS affiliate's morning show. We expect a little follow-up press as well.

The workshops taught by Jeff Kramer, Tim from Chicago, Martin from Second City, James from LA, Humor University, and the others, all got great reviews and were high priorities for attendees. Very valuable training things happened indeedy do. Special thanks to Amy from Portland and Mark from LA for stepping up to teach when requested.

The CSz march was sung several times, the CSz song as well. We also recited the vision statement. Much hugging. Much sharing of marketing techniques. Many parties and excursions. About 30 workshops. Many new games. Best new game award went to Portland for the game DVD. Miss Congeniality award went to Christine Walters from Richmond. The "I'm just sayin'..." Award went to Frankie Benavides from San Antonio. Ask someone. The Road Warriors Award went to the guys from Raleigh who came to Austin in a car by way of Green Bay and Rock Island.

The championship match was between Austin and Chicago. Chicago played great but lost to Austin by one point, despite the fact that the judges were biased in Chicago's favor.

That makes Austin's official title, The Comedy League of America's National ComedySportz Champion 2000.

Thanks for all the kind gifts and notes. Constructive criticisms are invited too. It'll help us to make future tourneys and our annual event better, as well as Big Stinkin.

Well, we are barely beginning to recover down here. We had such a good time. It's spooky now. Everybody come back. Do a puppet take. Craig isn't wearing the bikini anymore. Les put the Tequila away. The pool is open again. There's still a few cold Shiner Rocks left...

Love,

Les and the entire crews and staff at ComedySportz of Austin and San Antonio