Knox College Set to Host Midwest Showdown Scrabble Tournament

Before welcoming students back to campus, Knox College will host the Midwest Showdown Scrabble tournament on campus inside the Lincoln Room over Labor Day weekend (September 5-7). This is the fifth time Galesburg has hosted an officially sanctioned Scrabble tournament, but the first time at Knox. The tournament is being put on by Galesburg Scrabble, a local club composed of Scrabble fanatics. The club meets every Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Galesburg Public Library. Galesburg mayor and Knox College Professor of Environmental Studies Peter Schwartzman, along with tournament co-director Darla Krejci, brought the tournament to Galesburg and serves as tournament directors. 

“Darla is interested in tourism to support the city, and as mayor, I’m interested in bringing people to Galesburg and supporting a game I love,” Schwartzman said. “There is nothing better than a tournament in your backyard.”

The tournament brings close to 60 players from around the world to Galesburg, competing in games over three days. Players, divided into three divisions based on skill, rating, and lexicon will each play seven matches on Saturday’s first day. The top eight in each division advance to Sunday’s round of play. After playing seven matches on Sunday, the top four in each division advance to Monday’s Showdown final round. Players who do not advance will continue to play in various relegation tournaments. 

“We’ll have close to 572 games played over the three-day weekend, which will double what we had last year,” Schwartzman said. “The extra day helps, but we also have more players. One thing that separates our tournament from others is the hospitality. Darla and her friends volunteer a lot of time and know how to host a tournament. Also, we have local establishments that donate meals to tournament winners and snacks. We’re working with Bon Appétit, Knox’s dining services provider, to have them involved with providing yummy morsels in the tournament arena. We’re definitely known for our hospitality, which is why we have so many repeat customers and new players growing the tournament as well.”

The tournament will be streamed live to a worldwide audience on YouTube thanks to the efforts of Josh Greenway of Let’s Play Scrabble, giving viewers the chance to watch the action and become familiar with Galesburg and Knox College. 

“People from far away can watch as the tournament progresses with the Lincoln Room in the background, see the Lincoln bust, the Lincoln-Douglas Debate painting,” Schwartzman said. “Also, the stream will provide opportunities to promote what Knox has to offer. During breaks in matches, Knox will be able to promote programs over the stream. We’ll have a worldwide audience watching. Knox has a very international student body, so this can encourage more people from around the world to get an idea of what we’re about and that you can get a world-class education here.”

Along with the three-day tournament, Galesburg is also hosting a “Night Bird” tournament Saturday evening at the Best Western in Galesburg, allowing interested players the chance to play in an abbreviated, four-game, one-night tournament. The tournament also features trophies for division winners and a cash prize pool. 

“We have prize money across the board; we try to give all the player fees back to the players,” Schwartzman said. “Our total prize pool stands at $6000, but that doesn’t include local restaurants providing free meals to Saturday winners. We’re so thankful for that kind of support from our community; without it, the tournament wouldn't have the flair it does. Our new players may not know Galesburg when they come here, but people leave loving it.”