The David Riley Coaches Conference is an annual quizbowl conference primarily held to support the efforts of coaches nationwide in developing and promoting high quality high school quizbowl. The conference consists of panel discussions on topics of interest to quizbowl players and coaches. It is traditionally held the Friday or Saturday evening of the National Scholastic Tournament in the tournament hotel.
The 2023 conference took place from 7-9 PM on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at the 2023 PACE NSC in Rosemont, Illinois.
About the David Riley Conference
The conference began in 2015 as the PACE Coaches Conference, and has since expanded to become a panel discussion on all facets of the quizbowl community. Topics discussed at past conferences include team and circuit development, conduct and interactions between community members of different ages, scaling up from high school to college quizbowl, and “Making Your Home in Quizbowl.”
The conference is named in honor of David Riley, the former quizbowl coach at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Illinois. He was a tournament host, chair of the Illinois High School Scholastic Bowl Coaches Association, question writer, and PACE member. He passed away in 2015 at the age of 59, but his enthusiasm for quizbowl has had a deep and lasting impact on our activity in Illinois and across the country.
Panelist Applications
For the 2023 NSC, PACE is moving to an application format for panelists from the David Riley Players and Coaches Conference.
PACE welcomes applications from interested players, coaches, and community members to serve as this year’s Riley Conference panel. We particularly encourage applications from those with identities that are underrepresented in quizbowl, such as women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
If you’re interested in being on the 2023 panel, fill out the application.
Please note that the panel will take place in-person. As such, please only apply to be on the panel if you are confirmed to attend NSC as a player, coach, chaperone, or staffer. The conference planning committee will be cross-referencing applications with registered teams and confirmed staffers.
Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis. This post will be updated later with an application deadline. Please contact PACE VP of Outreach, Sadie Britton, at outreach@pace-nsc.org with any questions.