VSU Debate Team scores big in second tournament

The Valdosta State University debate team has recently participated in two competitions with a total of 19 debate wins.

The first competition of the season was at the University of Wyoming, Sept. 14-18. The team, which included Randy DeBerry, Brett Taylor, Tommy Cowart and Ed Echols, competed against 26 other colleges and universities to bring home seven victories.

The second competition took place at Middle Tennessee State University, Oct. 5-8, when eight debaters participated and a total of 12 debates were won. The varsity team (DeBerry and Taylor) finished with a five-to-one preliminary record. "This was our best tournament finish since placing in the semi-finals in Pensacola in the spring," said Dr. Mike Eaves, debate and individual event coach and associate professor of Communication Arts.

Interest in the debate program is increasing and Eaves attributes this interest to the university's recent participation in parliamentary debate. According to Eaves, VSU's debate team has finished with a winning record in five of the last six parliamentary debate tournaments.