IPDA and NPDA Pre-National Tournaments

Longview Community College

March 3-5, 2000

University of Arkansas debaters scored impressive victories in Kansas City, taking the 2nd Place Sweepstakes trophy in Parliamentary Debate and the 3rd Place Sweepstakes trophy in Public Debate. In addition, eight students received trophies for outstanding individual performance. Schools from six states participated in the tournaments, where the University of Arkansas was represented by the Arkansas Union Society.

The Pre-National International Public Debate Tournament was held March 3-4. Bill Horton reached the Quarter-Finals in the Open Division, Steve Fox ranked fifth place Outstanding Speaker, and Gary Moody received the eighth place trophy for Outstanding Speaker. In the Novice Division, Courtney Campbell reached the Final Round and placed second, and Brent Conrad reached the Quarter-Finals. Arkansas dominated the trophy awards for Outstanding Novice Speakers, with Brent Conrad ranked first, Keith Emis ranked third, Robin Miller ranked fourth, Courtney Campbell ranked sixth, Kristen Morgan ranked seventh, and Kana Harkness receiving the eighth place trophy.

In the Pre-National Parliamentary Debate Tournament, sanctioned by the National Parliamentary Debate Association on March 4-5, the team brought home eight trophies in addition to the Second Place Sweepstakes award. The team of Steve Fox and Gary Moody reached the Quarter-Finals in the Open Division. Arkansas teams also placed well in the Novice Division of parliamentary debate, with three teams reaching Quarter-Finals -- Brent Conrad and Jason King, Courtney Campbell and Kana Harkness, and Robin Miller and Kristin Morgan. Keith Emis and Kana Harkness also tied for 10th Place in Speaker Points in the Novice Division, ranking 12th and 13th after breaks.

The University of Arkansas has not participated in competitive intercollegiate debate since 1985. Bill Horton, President of the Arkansas Union Society, remarked on the impressive victories achieved by a team in its first year of competition. "We are extremely proud of the showing by our students, collecting the two sweepstakes trophies, 11 competition trophies, and eight trophies for individual speakers. We are also grateful for the funding support from the UA Department of Communication and the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences that allowed us to participate in these tournaments. Dean Randall Woods and Professor Jimmie Rogers recognized the contribution of both public and competitive debate to the individual students and to the University. Their confidence and support were essential to our successes this year, and their commitment for future funding reflects well on both our students and the University's vision and intellectual mission."