WF Coach Binder - MSU
Here is the list of all informational documents that you will need in your Coach Binder. Print this entire checklist and go through each document one week before WF to ensure that you have the latest versions in your binder. You can choose to maintain a printed or electronic Binder.
1. Documents in Coaches Packet in a single PDF.
2. A full copy of your Long-Term Problem. A printed or electronic copy of the Program Guide (the Rules!!).
3. Detailed procedure for Spontaneous document.
4. Below are additional documents from your TX Odyssey support team that you need to download/print and take with you to World Finals.
Updates List
Updates to documentation will be listed here so that you have the latest version. You should continue to monitor the main Competition in Michigan webpage for new information.
05/04/25 All administrative forms are updated
05/11/25 MSU annotated map is published v.1.
05/13/25 Tentative Howdy Assignments are first published v.2.
05/13/25 Letter to Teams about Spontaneous procedures is published (item 3 above).
05/13/25 Competition Site floorplans are updated below. Also information about team check-in process.
05/15/25 We have no modifications to the Howdy schedule in v.3. We are also publishing the tentative team Volunteers in the Extended Team Schedule v.3. Please review all your team movements and locations.
05/16/25 Last updates to Howdy Matrix (v.3), Annotated Competition Site Map (v.2), Shuttle map provided by MSU. Your Coach Binder list is complete!
05/17/25 Minor update to volunteers in Extended Team Schedule v.4. Team involved informed individually.
Team Docs
At team check-in, you submit 4 types of printed administrative documents (no option for electronic format):
Team Contract (one per team, must be signed by each member and coach),
Media Release Form (one per member),
MSU Medical Release Form (one form per member signed by parents),
Liability Waiver form (one per team member, coach and any other person staying on-campus).
Note: ALL chaperones should have copies of the medical release forms on them at all times.
If you have any adult arriving on campus before the team, you should plan to have them perform the team Check-in as early as possible. Rush-hour with longest wait times are usually on Wednesday between 11 am and 6 pm.
For 2025, Team Check-in is performed in the new STEM building, room 1130. Most airport transfers will drop you off there on Tuesday and Wednesday. When you arrive at Team Check-in onsite, all forms must be collated BY DOCUMENT TYPE.
All problem related forms are the same as TX competitions. They are turned in at long-term pre-staging, on competition day, also in printed format (no option for electronic format). Problem 2 now requires FIVE copies of the Team List form.
Site Maps
At team check-in, you will receive your dorm and meal plan information, as well as tickets for all events (see FAQ on topic of tickets). Also a tournament program which usually includes a full venue and local shuttle map inside the back cover. We have compiled an annotated site map for your convenience. Share printed copies of latest version with all adults.
Below are Campus Shuttle Maps. This is NOT the same as the airport transfers.
Building Floorplans
Site Maps within each building can be downloaded here to indicate props storage, entrance, exit, etc.:
Note: No floorplans are available for the Breslin and West Gym buildings.
OM Info Desk
On the map, your will notice the OM Info Desk. This is the hub for all OM questions, pick-up of event tickets for spectators, lost & found from entire campus, and much more.
Location: STEM Building, level 1, Outside Room 1130 (Room 1130 is the location of Team Check-in upon arrival)
Tuesday – 1 p.m. to 8 pm
Wednesday to Friday – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday – 8:00 am to 4 pm.
Schedule
Printable extract of the Texas teams competition schedule by problem.
Howdy Matrix
Matrix of Howdy Assignments for each team, sorted by date/time of long-term performance. Please verify your team's long term and spontaneous schedule. In case of discrepancy, the correct competition time is what is published at the national website. You locate your own team along the left column by long-term day/time. Then you look on that row for the two (H) boxes indicating the teams and times that you have been assigned to go watch (team names at the top of that column).
As a reminder, HOWDY is a team qualification. The entire team (and all family members) are invited to cheer on two other Texas teams (long-term only).
Volunteers
This team Extended Schedule is alphabetical by team name. It includes your competition schedule, Howdy assignments, volunteer slot, and for those who have a Buddy team, the competition schedule of your buddy team. Volunteers are typically an adult who splits up from the team to assist at a parade or at our Creativity Festival booth. When teams do not have additional adults, they are assigned a shorter team task (marked TT).
Contacts
List of emergency contacts for our TX Officials in Michigan (to be sent by email just before WF). We are your support team so feel free to contact us for any need, whether minor or critical. Contact the Howdy Boys for Creativity Festival, parades and volunteers.
Also, please contact Lilian Wannall (volunteers at the OM Info Desk) for any team emergency of any kind, as well as questions about event tickets (extras for teams, sharing, swapping).
Other
Print the WF t-shirt guide in order to verify which T-shirt is worn when. Pin Trading explanation and rules.
Prepare the Team Portrait form, whether you plan to purchase photos or not. Plan to take your picture. We are told that all team photos are included in the yearbook, whether you purchase single photos or not.
Also print our FAQ web page about various events. This also contains description and meeting points for each parade.
Problems
When you go watch your assigned Howdy teams, you should have the Problem Synopses. You will be watching teams performing different problems so a refresher of what other problems will be helpful.