PLU hosts international speech and debate tournament

On December 5 and 6, 2014, PLU hosted 38 schools and more than 700 students from all over the Pacific Northwest (including Canada) for the return of the TOH Karl Speech and Debate Tournament. The tournament allowed students to improve vital public speaking, critical thinking, research and analytical skills.

The tournament was a prestigious Tournament of Champions qualifier, giving top competitors points towards eligibility for the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions in 2015.

The tournament boasted more than 300 individual events and almost 200 debate student entries. High school students competed in student congress and three types of debate including public forum, policy, and Lincoln-Douglas debate. Individual events included expository, extemporaneous, impromptu speaking, and many others.

The tournament showcased the PLU Speech and Debate program as well as the school in its entirety.
Local high school coach William “Bill” Nicolay, said it was a great tournament and thought everything ran smoothly, along with it being a great experience.

More than 100 PLU students, staff, faculty, and community members volunteered to judge the events. “I am so incredibly grateful for the support, it demonstrates PLU’s commitment to the forensics community,” Dr. Justin Eckstein, Director of Forensics, said.

The PLU Speech and Debate team will begin practicing again on January 6 to prepare for competition at Western Washington University on January 30, 2015.