More than 400 debaters to invade LSUS 11/15/01

Debaters from nearly 40 schools nationwide - more than 400 of them - will invade the LSU in Shreveport campus Friday and Saturday for the 27th Annual Red River Swing. This year’s participation is more than double the normal number of entrants.

Among the teams competing in the debate tournament, hosted by the LSUS Department of Communications and the university’s Debate Team, will be the three top-ranked schools in the nation in public speaking and parliamentary debate.

“School rankings change,” Debate Team faculty advisor Mary J. “Jorji” Jarzabek said, “but it is safe to say that Bethel College (Kansas) is currently the national front-runner.” Among the other schools participating are LSU (Baton Rouge), Tulane University, Centenary College and Louisiana Tech. West Monroe High School is also sending a team. Other universities include Alabama, West Florida, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Texas-El Paso and Stephen F. Austin.

Debaters will fill virtually every available classroom and office area Friday. Jarzabek alerted campus faculty, staff and students not to be alarmed if they hear unusual sounds coming from rooms in every building on campus.

“There will be extra noise on Friday,” Jarzabek said in a campuswide note. “Don’t worry. That shouting you hear is not unusual. Some of the students will be ‘acting out’ some very dramatic material. If you hear some raised voices, it’s probably someone just ‘getting into their character.’”

The public is welcome to come to the campus and watch the nation’s best debaters. Jarzabek recommends Saturday for public attendance.