The Stephen F. Austin State University Debate Team will co-host the Pineywoods Swing Debate Tournament with fellow East Texas friends and rivals East Texas Baptist University at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6.
The tournament, which will be held on SFA’s campus, is scheduled to run throughout the weekend and will end Sunday afternoon with the championship round and awards presentation in the categories of novice, varsity and professional.
Approximately 150 students and coaches, including coaches Kimberly Squyres Wagner of SFA and Dr. Cole Franklin of ETBU, are expected to attend this International Public Debate Association event.
IPDA is an academic debate association that allows two single competitors to face-off in a 26-minute round, arguing topics ranging from politics to pop culture. Competitors are given 30-minutes notice of their topic before the round, which includes research preparation.
This year’s tournament will provide an intense academic debate competition; allow students the opportunity to travel and network; and also serve as a fundraising event to help offset costs for SFA to travel to the National IPDA Tournament in Boise, Idaho. Funds will be collected through participant registration fees and the sale of barbecue plates and concessions.
Those interested in academic debate are invited to attend the tournament. In addition, all students are invited to attend weekly debate meetings held at 4 p.m. in the Ferguson Building, Room 377.
For more information about SFA Debate or to volunteer for the tournament, please contact Wagner, director of debate, at (936) 468-1086 or squyreska@sfasu.edu.
