The Mid-Atlantic Badminton Tournament has
been a USA Badminton Classic since 1991. Formerly known as the Middle Atlantic
States Open, the Mid-Atlantic is one of an elite group of only five tournaments
forming the Classic circuit. Classic tournaments receive prize money from USA
Badminton and the national organization also helps negotiate key sponsorship.
The tournaments are designated national team qualifying events; players hoping
to earn positions on the U.S. national Badminton Team earn points when they
compete successfully in qualifying events such as the Mid-Atlantic.
The predecessor tournament -- the Middle
Atlantic States Open -- was guided for many years under the directorship of John
and Pat Cornell. The tournament as conducted in a variety of locations,
including the Germantown Cricket Club. In 1988 the tournament was moved to Bryn
Mawr College. The same year, Dave Fehm took over the tournament director's
position, assisted by Adrian Smith and many others. Due to a construction
project lasting several years, the tournament had to find new locations to
successfully host the event. For 2003 the tournament is proud to be back at the
beautiful Schwartz Gym on the Bryn Mawr College campus for this year's
prestigious event.
