Debate team competes on national level
By STACEY KAPLAN
News Writer
The debate team will cap off their season this weekend at the National Parliamentary Debate Association's (NPDA) National Tournament at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. Currently ranked 15th in the nation, the team is a mere three points away from the top five, and is hoping to perform well enough at nationals to secure a spot in the top 20.
"It's like the NCAA basketball tournament. We could start winning and end up in the Final Four. A top-10 finish is within reach. It's very tangible for our team," said sophomore team member and co-treasurer Will McDonald
A debate powerhouse in the 1970s and 1980s, Notre Dame had a disappointing show in the early 1990s, and only in the past few years has the team begun to compete on a national level once again.
"We've had good coaching and a lot of talented people. Chris Huck has done a fabulous job with us. He's given us a foundation of coaching that really worked wonders," said McDonald
Huck, a third year law student and the Director of Debate, transformed the team last year from an outdated form of debate known as policy into the fast-growing world of parliamentary debate.
"The popularity of parliamentary debate has grown tremendously in America over the last five years. This national tournament will be the largest tournament ever in North America," he said
The debate team has enjoyed success at several tournaments this year. It has finished top three at every tournament, and has taken first place sweepstakes at four out of the seven, including the prestigious invitational Hatfield Debate tournament at Willamette University, which took place Feb. 19-20, and the Pi Kappa Delta National Honorary Tournament at Webster University, Feb. 25-28.
"They are all doing it because they really want to be involved. They don't get recognition in the fact that they're not basketball or football. Debate is always kind of unknown. They put all of the time into it because they love the activity, not just to win," Huck said.
"It's exciting to represent the University. I'm amazed with our success this year because the program had fallen into disrepair. It's pretty surprising to everyone," said McDonald.
Huck found only a few weaknesses with the team.
"They put too much pressure on themselves. They get frustrated competing against people who are seniors, and I have to remind them that they are all young. I have no doubt that in two years one of them will be the national champion. That's how good they are."
The team has only one senior, club president Dan Peate, but a plethora of sophomores and freshman.
McDonald found similar minor faults.
"We have a very young team. Depending on who the next coach is, we have the potential to be a national power for generations," he said.
The team was also given major honors recently when it was selected to host the three champions of the Irish Times Debate Tournament. They will be holding an exhibition debate against three members of the Notre Dame team.
"I think it's just going to be great because we're the Fighting Irish and they're actually from Ireland. It's going to be really cool to debate with them," said McDonald.
The exhibition is open to the public and will be held on March 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the LaFortune Ballroom.
All News Stories for Monday, March 6, 2000
