JACKSON, Tenn. — Nov. 18, 2009 — 51社区鈥檚 debate team will host the Bulldog Classic Debate Tournament Nov. 20-21, the first tournament ever hosted by Union鈥檚 debate team, now in its second year of competition.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been working hard,鈥� debate team coach Web Drake said about preparations for the upcoming event. 鈥淲e鈥檙e recruiting schools. We鈥檙e organizing all the rooms.鈥�
Drake and the Union debate team members have been working to create 100 resolutions that will be debated during the tournament. The resolutions cover a wide range of topics, including economics, pop culture, domestic policy, foreign policy, sports, international affairs, philosophy and academics, Drake said.
As many as 12 teams could be participating in the tournament, from colleges and universities such as the University of Arkansas-Monticello, the University of Central Arkansas, Mississippi College, Louisiana College and Stephen F. Austin State University, among others.
Preliminary rounds begin at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 20, with the tournament concluding the next day. All debates will take place in the Penick Academic Complex.
The tournament will be the fourth competition for Union鈥檚 debate team this year. At the Louisiana State University Red River Classic Nov. 6-8, Union won first place as a team, and two individuals also won first place in their respective divisions. Emily Welborn won the varsity debate speaker competition, while Amanda Bennett took first in novice debate competition.
Union has finished second as a team in its other two tournaments.
鈥淲e鈥檙e on pace to meet or surpass last year鈥檚 results, which were really good,鈥� Drake said. 鈥淭he big deal is leadership. Last year we didn鈥檛 have anybody who had done it before. This year we have a varsity squad. They鈥檙e helping the freshman and the novices do the stuff that I had to do last year.鈥�
Drake said his team鈥檚 participation in the Bulldog Classic would be limited, with only a few of the team members competing.