FAQ

Q: What is HYPE Cup?

A: HYPE Cup is an event series where HYPE members compete as teams in eight different events, from August to April, in order to earn points and win the HYPE Cup Trophy. Players can also sign up for specially identified community events in order to earn more points for their team. At the end of the series, the team with the most points wins the HYPE Cup Trophy and bragging rights for the rest of the year!

Q: Are there any specific team requirements?

A: Yes, each team must have a minimum of 12 players and a maximum of 15, at least 5 of whom must be female.

Q: How do I register to be a part of HYPE Cup?

A:Each team needs a captain (this is not assigned by HYPE, anyone can be a captain). The captain should compile a list of names and email addresses for all 12-15 players and email it to Meredith at mrizocki@metrohartford.com by August XX. Meredith will then send the private registration link to each individual team member so they can pay their individual registration fee online. Please keep in mind: We can only accept up to 16 teams on a first-come, first-served basis!

Q: How much does it cost? What is included?

A: The fee to participate is $55 (HYPE members) or $110 (non-members, includes membership through the following year) per person. All activity fees are included. Any other costs (food, optional team t-shirts/uniforms, transportation) are not included.

Q: Do all the team members have to come from the same company?

A: Nope! Feel free to make a team of friends and/or colleagues!

Q: Can my team be sponsored?

A: Yes. If your company is currently offering free HYPE membership and you would like help connecting with the right people at your company to discuss possible sponsorships, please contact Julie at jdaly@metrohartford.com. If you plan to have your company sponsored by any company, the captain must notify Julie when sending in the first roster of team members to Meredith.

Q: How do we get points? How are events scored? 

A: Points are earned by winning or placing at events. Scoring is different for each event (mostly dependent on if it’s a bracketed event or not), and we don’t reveal the scoring system in advance because the winning team is not revealed/announced until Spring Fling. Keep in mind that for individual events, a team will be disqualified and will receive zero points for that particular event if they do not have the minimum number of required players to participate.

Q: How can we earn extra HYPE Cup points?

A: HYPE is partnering with several community events and volunteer opportunities throughout the duration of the HYPE Cup Season. These events will be communicated to captains and through the HYPE email newsletter. For every team member that participates in one of these opportunities, your HYPE Cup team will earn 1 extra point. Substitute players are not eligible to earn extra points, and points are awarded for participation only, not for performance (i.e. no extra points for raising additional funds or placing higher). You MUST identify yourself as a HYPE member during the registration process for these events to be eligible to earn the extra point (specific instructions for individual events will be communicated). If the organization hosting the event cannot verify that you participated, you will not receive a point.

Q: Can we use substitute players?

A: Teams should make every effort to use players from the original team roster whenever possible. If you find yourself in a situation where you will be forced to forfeit an event because you don’t have enough original team members available, you may use substitute players. Each team can use up to 6 subs across all HYPE Cup events, and you may only use a particular individual as a substitute once (substitute players may participate in up to 2 events, and only if it is for 2 different teams). The number of subs a team can use per event is related to the number of total players needed for that event (see chart below). Substitute players must be named in advance when the captain submits the event roster to HYPE (no day-of substitutions; we need to plan in advance for the number of teams participating in each event). No substitute players will be allowed on Field Day.

Q: Do I have to make it to every HYPE Cup event?

A: No. Team captains will coordinate which players will represent your team each month (sometimes we only need 4 players, others require more players). We are hoping for (but not expecting) 100% participation at Opening Ceremonies and Field Day.

Q: What if there is bad weather?  Will HYPE Cup events be cancelled?

A: If a HYPE Cup event is postponed due to weather, we will notify team captains 5 hours before the start of the event and also post that information on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/HYPEHartford) and on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/HYPEHartford). Please note that rain/snow dates for each applicable event are usually planned for the following day. FYI: Kickball is held outdoors rain or shine.

Q: Do we have to have team t-shirts? 

A: No, but you’re encouraged to! Show your team spirit by creating unique t-shirts for all of your team members! Here are our recommended t-shirt vendors: (Need a list of t-shirt vendors)

Q: What do we get if we win?

A: Bragging rights and The HYPE Cup for a couple of months (just like how the Stanley Cup works). The winning team will be announced and recognized at the HYPE Spring Fling in May. Congrats to the 2009-2010 winning team, That's What She Said and the 2010-11 team, Killer Watts!

Additional questions?  Please contact Julie at jdaly@metrohartford.com.