About PACE
The Partnership for Academic Competition Excellence (PACE) is a non-profit, volunteer alliance of advocates for high school quizbowl competition across the United States.
Each year, PACE organizes the National Scholastic Championship, a national all-subject quiz bowl tournament for the top academic teams in the country. Additionally, PACE administers a number of additional programs, including the Morgan Costa-Rhodes Memorial Scholarship, the David Riley Coaches Conference, and the Benjamin Cooper Academic Ambassador and Young Ambassador Awards.
PACE sponsors the High School Quizbowl Resource Center, which includes a tournament database, archive of quizbowl packets, and the hsquizbowl.com forums. PACE also works in partnership with other major national organizations on the Quizbowl Misconduct Reporting Form, which allows for confidential reporting of misconduct in the community.
Expectations of PACE Members
PACE members are expected to contribute to PACE’s programs and activities throughout the year, with particular attention to the following:
- Attending the National Scholastic Championship each June
- Serving on one or more of PACE’s committees and working groups
- Attending PACE member meetings, usually held on Slack every two months
- Voting on organizational matters, including nominees for membership, officer elections, and Cooper Awards
Evaluating Prospective Members
In evaluating nominees, PACE looks for individuals who are involved in their local circuits, as well as members who have demonstrated experience and interest in the production of high school quiz bowl events. We may also look for evidence of particular specialized skills that may benefit PACE’s work, such as nonprofit administration, financial management, and audio/visual technology skills.
PACE membership does not have a minimum age limit. However, by tradition, PACE does not admit currently enrolled high school students. Interested individuals who are still in high school are encouraged to seek membership after one year following their high school graduation (for example, students who graduated high school in 2025 are encouraged not to seek membership any earlier than summer 2026). We encourage high school-aged potential nominees to seek nomination or self-nominate for membership after they have completed their first year of undergraduate studies.
PACE understands that membership is often seen as a status symbol in the wider quizbowl community. We expect members to be good ambassadors of our game and community, and all members are expected to uphold the highest standards of personal and professional conduct.
Becoming a PACE Member
PACE accepts nominations for membership, including self-nominations, twice each year: once in the summer and once in the winter. For the January 2026 election, the following dates apply:
Call for Nominations
December 20-27
Nominations are submitted online. The nomination form includes the name and email address for the nominator and nominee, along with some brief biographical questions and a nomination statement.
Review of Nominations
December 28 – January 4
The names of each nominee and nominator, along with a summary of biographical information and the nomination statement, are shared by the Secretary with the PACE membership. PACE members have a week to discuss nominations in a confidential setting.
Election by Secret Ballot
January 5 – January 11
PACE members have one week to vote by secret electronic ballot on each candidate for membership – yes, no, or abstain. Quorum for new member elections is met when a simple majority of members participate in the vote and a two-thirds majority vote in favor of a candidate’s election. There is no minimum or maximum of new members that can be elected during any given membership election cycle.
Accept/Decline Period
January 12 – January 19
The Secretary notifies newly elected members of their election, who have one week to either accept or decline the offer of membership.
New Member Class Announced
January 20
New Member Onboarding
Upon accepting their election, new members will be asked to complete a number of tasks by the Secretary. In addition to general administrative information and instructions on accessing PACE’s internal workspaces, new members will also be appointed to one or more of PACE’s internal committees and working groups.
For the 2025-26 academic year, the committees and working groups include: AI in Quizbowl, Broadcast, Bylaw Review, Communications, Editors, Finance & Fundraising, Logistics, Outreach, Scholarship, Secretary, and Technology.
For additional questions about PACE membership, please contact pace@pace-nsc.org.