Thank You

Greetings,

I just want to take this time to say thank you to everyone who attended, donated, played, watched, won, lost, drank, ate, volunteered, sponsored, hosted, laughed, passed out. etc etc. It was everyone collectively that made last Saturday a huge success! I hope that each of you had an amazing time- in between my running around, I also managed to have a great time too.

We were a bit short on teams, but after all bills were paid, we still managed to give more than $2500 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The money is only half of it- it was a day full of good vibes and positive energy. I had multiple people approach me about setting up their own tournaments and like events. I heard many people speaking about their own charitable causes and desires to give back. We had many people give added donations on top of their entry fees and winnings. After all is said and done, it was an extremely worthwhile event.

Finally, congratulations to team PLO for winning philanthroPONG 2008. At about 9pm, PLO knocked out the Hokies to become the first ever philanthroPONG champions, taking home the winning check, trophies, fame and fortune. Last I heard, they had put down a deposit on a mansion in the hollywood hills. Congrats.

Stay tuned for a link to pics and video of the night's events. And thanks again everyone!

Andrew

Consolation Matches

Hey Everyone-

I just wanted to explain the concept of "consolation matches." Immediately following the first round of eliminations, we'll be randomly selecting two teams to play a 10-cup match for a prize (we may mix it up and have these games be a bit out-of-the-ordinary). After the first round, we'll have these matches on a pretty consistent basis- we're looking to have about 10 of them! So if you're worried about getting knocked out in the first round, don't worry, you still have a pretty good chance of winning something good. To give you a preview, some of these prizes include:

-Nationals vs. Braves tickets (some good seats too)
-Nationals vs. Cubs
-Gift certificates to District City Chop House, RFD, Fado, La Tasca, Gordon Biersch, Hooters, Austin Grill
-T-shirts, hats, pong accessories, etc.
-More to come...

Also, we've got a bunch of free give-aways so we don't plan on anyone leaving empty handed...

Welcome to philanthroPONG 2008!!!

Friends,

Preparations for the first annual philanthroPONG Charity Beer Pong Tournament are underway. Mark your calendars- April 12, 2008 (4pm – 9pm) at Regional Food and Drink (RFD) in downtown Washington DC. All net proceeds from the event will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society – we’re hoping to raise $5,000 from the day’s festivities. A lot of great people, local sponsors and businesses have pitched in to make this an amazing day- including RFD, Fado, Gordon Biersch, Hooters, District City Chophouse, Austin Grill,Washington City Paper, Magic Hat and La Tasca.

We’ve got an awesome day planned with a bunch of prizes, raffles, give-aways, food, beer- and of course the BEER PONG TOURNAMENT. The tournament will be a 32-team, single elimination showdown. The entry fee is $75 per person ($30 for non-players, which includes food and drink). Tournament players can expect a whole lot:

First Prize: $600, Second Prize: $200

Losers are automatically entered into the “consolation” pool- every 20 minutes, two eliminated teams will be randomly selected to compete in a consolation match for a prize. Current prizes include sporting tickets (pair of tickets to DC Nationals v. Atlanta Braves, DC Nationals v. Chicago Cubs), gift certificates to local restaurants, pong paraphrinalia, and more to come (We’ve got more than 10 great prizes and only 32 teams- if you’re the pong player that you think you are, then you’ve got a pretty great shot)

Free entry into the Raffle

Appetizers and beer catered by our host, Regional Food and Drink (RFD)- that includes your beer on and off the tournament table (please note that premium beers will be for purchase)

Tables will be made available throughout the day for non-tournament play

Held in a private room in the back of the infamous RFD, home of the largest selection of beer on tap in all of DC

Last but not least, it’s for charity- not much more you can ask for

To reserve your slot, email philanthroPONG@yahoo.com with both you and your team member’s name. You will receive a confirmation email shortly with payments details. There are only 32 team openings in the tournament, so don’t wait too long (Based on demand, tournament may be increased to 48 teams maximum- prizes will be increased accordingly).

Updated details and announcements about the event will be posted here at http://www.philanthropong.blogspot.com/. Check in often for news about the event, tournament rules, etc. (an agenda for the afternoon will be posted closer to the event date).

Also, don’t forget that entry is $30 for non-players and that includes appetizers and beer from 4-9pm. Spots are limited- email in advance to secure your spot or pay at the door. All are welcome- it’s going to be an awesome day.

To learn more about the great things happening at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (or to make an online donation unrelated to philanthroPONG) please visit http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/.
And feel free to pass this along to anyone who may be interested in participating or attending.

Hope to see you there,

Andrew Miceli

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS)

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. We offer a wide variety of programs and services in support of our mission: cure leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are cancers that originate in the bone marrow or lymphatic tissues as the result of an acquired genetic injury to the DNA of a single cell, which becomes malignant and multiplies continuously. This abnormal accumulation interferes with the production of healthy blood cells.

An estimated 135,520 people in the United States were diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma in 2007. New cases of leukemia, Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma will account for nearly 9.4 percent of the 1,444,920 new cancer cases diagnosed in the United States this year. Every five minutes someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer.

Since the first research funding in 1954, LLS has awarded more than $550 million in research grants. Now supporting $61.6 million annually on research, LLS's grant programs are among the most prestigious in the fields of blood cancers.

Like I said, a great cause to support. Go to www.LLS.org/nca for more information.

Tournament Rules

Single elimination, 2-person teams

10 cups will be arranged in a pyramid at the center of each end of the table; 12 cups in the FINALS and SEMIFINALS

24 oz. will be distributed evenly among the 10 cups; 36 oz. for 12 cups

Team members each shoot one ball in consecutive turns

Re-racks at 6 and 3 cups

“Elbow Rule” in effect; when shooting, a player’s elbow must be at or behind the end of the table

RULE CHANGE: After the last cup has been hit, the opposing team WILL have a chance at "redemption" ("shoot until you miss" rule in effect)

Redemption may lead to a three-cup overtime; consecutive overtimes are permitted; the team that shot last (leading into redemption) will shoot one ball first

Balls must be dipped in water prior to every throw

No blowing the ball out of the cup

Bouncing is permitted; if a player bounces a ball into the opposing team’s cups, then two cups are to be counted as sunk

No “loose ball” (players cannot regain possession of the ball after they have shot- with the exception of the next rule)

If each of the team members make both of their consecutive shots, then both balls will be returned to that team to shoot again

Accidental interference before the ball has hit the cup (ex. accidentally knocking the ball in mid-air) will constitute a “re-do”; intentional interference will constitute a one-cup penalty

A cup may not be intentionally knocked over by a hard throw (however, shots that are intended for a “normal” throw that knock over a cup will count)

First shot will be determined by random bracket position; whichever team is on the lower half of the bracket will shoot one ball first; the opposing team will then shoot two balls

If a player knocks over their own cup, that cup will be counted as sunk

It is not required to fill cups with alcohol; the losing team is not required to drink the winning team’s cups

There will be no type of shot which constitutes an immediate win (ex. hitting the cup that the opposing player is drinking)

Table referees have final judgment on rules