03-30-99
The Voice of Edwin is the weekly newsletter of the Edwin Lawrence Debate Union at the University of Vermont, an endowed co-curricular program which trains students in debating and sponsors national competition and community events. Alfred C. Snider is the Director. 802-656-0097 voice, 802-238-8345 mobile, 656-4275 fax, asnider@zoo.uvm.edu email, and http://debate.uvm.edu/ldu.html web site. |
Helen Morgan & Sarah Snider, Debate All-Americans ---------- Gordie Miller, National Judging Award
UVM Coaches through the years -- and still coaching (and at Nationals)
At Left (back) McKnight-UVM, Massey-UVM, Miller-UVM, Shanahan-Fort Hays (front) Berube-South Carolina, Snider-UVM, Meany-Claremont, Woods-William Jewell; At Right Nelson-Rochester, Hovden-Central Oklahoma
200 debate teams and 162 judges gathered on the campus of Southern Illinois University on the third weekend in March for the Cross Examination Debate Association National Championship Tournament. The University of Vermont fielded three teams: Sarah Snider & Helen Morgan, Greta Lockwood & Kenan Osmanovic, and Aaron Fishbone & Peter Winfield.
Sarah Snider & Helen Morgan, both Juniors, put on a tremendous performance. After a 5-3 record in the preliminary debates they were awarded a bye in the first elimination round based on their excellent speaker points awarded by their judges. In the first elimination round it was sad that they had to debate the team of last year's UVM Coach Jan Hovden from Central Oklahoma, but UVM emerged victorious on a 2-1 decision, losing Mike Bryant of Weber State University. In the next elimination round they faced the University of Kansas team which finished Third at the tournament, and lost a hotly contested decision 2-1, winning what many thought was the best judge on the panel. One of the two judges who voted against UVM later confessed that the reason for decision given by the dissenting judge was in many ways more persuasive than his majority decision. They thus finished one ballot away from the Sweet Sixteen.
At the awards assembly Morgan & Snider received one of the few audience wide standing ovations of the evening. They were also both honored by selection to the national All-American Debate Squad, making UVM one of the few schools so honored. It was there that Gordie Miller, UVM coach, received the National Judging Award for excellence in judging competitive academic debates. Gordie has received many judging honors through the years. He was also selected to judge the national final round.
Everyone on the squad was extremely proud of the performance of the other two teams. A decision was made weeks before nationals that both of these teams would not present a standard affirmative case, instead they decided to present compelling narratives about the realities of race and sex discrimination in America. While judges found it hard to vote for such an unconventional approach in a purely discursive activity, several did do so, and all of their judges and opponents seemed deeply moved by the experience, with two judges saying it was one of the best debate experiences of their lives. All four debaters were extremely happy with their choice and were congratulated by the squad on returning. At the LDU, we believe that ideas are important when they CHANGE people and lives.
To see Tuna's photo report on CEDA Nationals, check out http://debate.uvm.edu/ceda99.html
MEETINGS THIS WEEKPlanning for Public Debate - 12:30 PM TuesdayHandbook Planning - 6:30 PM Wednesday |
YOU ARE INVITED! CONTACT US TO ATTEND! COME CELEBRATE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS!
Awards: Justin, Jordan; Hosts: Greta, Sarah; Booklet: Tuna; Menu & Guest List: Justin.
Jackie Massey models the fashion rage of the debate community!
Dark blue hooded sweatshirts, front pockets, front zipper, "SILENCE IS COMPLICITY" on the front, "Replacing Weapons with Words - Vermont Debate" on the back. $22 EACH. XXL is $24. SEND YOUR CHECK TODAY (PAYABLE TO A.C. SNIDER) AND EMAIL US YOUR SHIRT SIZE!
UVM students will be paired with controversial UVM professors to debate this hot topic. More news next week after topic wording and format are worked out
UPCOMING SHOWS:
#188 CATEGORIES - TAPING ON 4-11-99 AT 2 PM
Friday afternoon, April 16, 1999 there will be an open debating event featuring extemporaneous parliamentary-style debating. All students are welcome to this event. Please contact us and we will send you basic materials to orient you to a no-preparation style of debate. Judges will be provided. Work on argument generation and speaking skills.
OFFICE NEWS
Move all evidence tubs to basement, put them on tables
Move all personal items to assigned shelves
Finalize organization of backfiles from this season
Decommission your current files if you are graduating
RETURN ALL BOOKS TO LIBRARY!
| EVENTS | WINS | LOSSES |
| Previous | 257 | 280 |
| CEDA Nats | 9 | 17 |
| -------------------------- | ---------- | --------------- |
| NEW TOTAL | 266 | 297 |
Huber House