Colorado State University Debate Team Wins First Place In National Sweepstakes Championship
Wednesday, April 8, 1998
FORT COLLINS--Colorado State University's debate team has
won first place in the 1997-98 National Sweepstakes Championship
after a season of individual tournament victories.
The National Sweepstakes Prize is awarded by the National
Parliamentary Debate Association to the college debate team that
has demonstrated the strongest overall performance in tournaments
throughout the year. More than 100 colleges compete in
tournaments each year.
In winning the prize this year, Colorado State broke the
association's point record. Points are awarded based on style,
presentation and strength of argumentation. Debate topics range
from political policy to philosophical issues. The winner of the
National Sweepstakes Prize is determined by tallying points from
each teams' four strongest tournaments.
Colorado State's debate team is made up of 15 students with
two graduate student coaches and a faculty advisor. Head coach
Robert Margesson and head debate coach Marcus Paroske traveled
with the squad to more than a dozen tournaments throughout the
season.
"The team has performed exceptionally," said Barb Willard,
director of forensics and assistant professor in the department
of speech communication. "The students' dedication and the talent
of the new coaching staff have moved the team forward from fourth
in the nation last year to first this year."
Colorado State was named the National Sweepstakes winner
during last month's post-season National Championship Tournament
in Lubbock, Texas. Colorado State took second place in that
tournament.
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