National champs to host
29th annual debate tourney at LSUS
11/08/03

The LSUS campus will be invaded Friday through Sunday (Nov. 14-16) by teams of students from more than 20 schools in eight states to compete in the 29th Annual Red River Swing debate tournament. The competition will be hosted by the 2003 IPDA (International Public Debate Association) National Champion LSUS Debate Team and the LSUS Communications Department.

The entire tournament, to be staged primarily in Bronson Hall on the LSUS campus, is free and open to the public. LSUS Debate Team Coach Mary G. “Jorji” Jarzabek is also asking for volunteers from the campus and the community to help judge the tournament. “The more volunteers we have,” Jarzabek said, “the less stress there will be on tired, road-weary debate coaches. Many of them travel 8-10 hours to get here with their teams.”

Registered teams are from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas, and represent schools such as the universities of Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, all with nationally ranked debaters and speakers. In all, Jarzabek said, more than 200 competitors will be involved in the tournament.

“We invite students and the community to come out and watch some of the best speakers – future lawyers and politicos – in the region,” Jarzabek said, adding that “LSUS students can judge IPDA debate.” For information or to volunteer to judge, contact Jarzabek at 318-797-5318 or mjarzabe@lsus.edu .