CSUF To Host National Debate Tournament
The yearly competition comes to campus for the first time to help celebrate the 50th anniversary.
By: Marissa Willman
Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: News
The National Debate Tournament, the final showdown of the 2007-2008 debate season and considered the most prestigious tournament, will be held at Cal State Fullerton March 28 - 31 with two CSUF student finalists debating in the competition.
Luis Magallon, a senior philosophy major, and Caitlin Gray, a sophomore double majoring in philosophy and business, qualified for the NDT and will represent CSUF's Debate Team in the tournament.
"This is our equivalent to March Madness," Jon Bruschke, a professor who coaches the Debate Team, said. "The main thing about this tournament is there will be winners and losers this time; it is not just a discussion."
CSUF was chosen to host the 2008 NDT as a part of the campus' 50th anniversary celebration. The tournament was held yearly at the United States Military Academy at West Point from 1947 to 1966 before moving to a different campus each year.
"Sixty tournaments throughout the season have led up to this weekend," Bruschke said. "It will crown the national champion."
Though CSUF has made a name for itself in the debate community with its unorthodox adoption of performance-based debate, which the team has often been criticized for, Bruschke said the debate community was supportive of holding the debate season's final tournament at CSUF.
"They were very positive," Bruschke said. "They were sure we would do a great job and they appreciate the history of debate that CSUF has."
The top 78 teams in the nation will compete in this weekend's tournament, including a two-person team from CSUF.
"It's really tough [to get to the NDT] since only so many students can qualify," Brenda Montes, a debate coach majoring in Latino studies and women's studies, said. "Our district is also tough because we're grouped with USC and Berkeley."
Magallon is a President's Scholar and has debated for his entire college career. He began debating in high school through CSUF's debate outreach program, the Southern California Urban Debate League, which brings debate to underprivileged high schools in Orange County.
Luis Magallon, a senior philosophy major, and Caitlin Gray, a sophomore double majoring in philosophy and business, qualified for the NDT and will represent CSUF's Debate Team in the tournament.
"This is our equivalent to March Madness," Jon Bruschke, a professor who coaches the Debate Team, said. "The main thing about this tournament is there will be winners and losers this time; it is not just a discussion."
CSUF was chosen to host the 2008 NDT as a part of the campus' 50th anniversary celebration. The tournament was held yearly at the United States Military Academy at West Point from 1947 to 1966 before moving to a different campus each year.
"Sixty tournaments throughout the season have led up to this weekend," Bruschke said. "It will crown the national champion."
Though CSUF has made a name for itself in the debate community with its unorthodox adoption of performance-based debate, which the team has often been criticized for, Bruschke said the debate community was supportive of holding the debate season's final tournament at CSUF.
"They were very positive," Bruschke said. "They were sure we would do a great job and they appreciate the history of debate that CSUF has."
The top 78 teams in the nation will compete in this weekend's tournament, including a two-person team from CSUF.
"It's really tough [to get to the NDT] since only so many students can qualify," Brenda Montes, a debate coach majoring in Latino studies and women's studies, said. "Our district is also tough because we're grouped with USC and Berkeley."
Magallon is a President's Scholar and has debated for his entire college career. He began debating in high school through CSUF's debate outreach program, the Southern California Urban Debate League, which brings debate to underprivileged high schools in Orange County.
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