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Re: Re: rapproachment an...
Bear,
I appreciate your most recent point by point critique of my position. I want
to take some time to read it again offline. It seems to be the logical type
of approach I had expected from my colleagues. I wish that my decision to
move the Emporia program to CEDA in 1989 could have been avoided.....but I
felt at the time that it was the best decision for Emporia....fortunately, it
appears that I judged correctly. I'm flattered that you believe we could
have accomplished the same things in NDT. I'm not convinced that we could
have. I had inherited a program with no debaters but much administrative
support. I was able to recruit many young debaters into the program but the
lack of junior division opportunities proved to be a source of great
disappointment to them and to me. In my 1986 interview for the position at
ESU, I was asked if I would maintain the NDT program (one with rich heritage
at ESU). I truthfully answered that I would make an effort but that I
believed the best interests of Emporia State would be served in the Cross
Examination Debate Association. I found surprising support from NDT fossils
(on the ESU faculty) such as David Matheny, Don Orban and John Lehman. I
felt that the CEDA organization offered a more level playing field for a
struggling state university program. The rise of other small university
programs (Northwest Louisiania State, UMKC, Southwestern College, etc) prove
that to be true. I do not believe (perhaps I'm dead wrong) that NDT would
have allowed this to happen. You may remember that at the 1985 SCA in
Denver, I, in my capacity as NDT District III respresentative on the NDT
National Committee, offered a resolution that NDT debate the fall CEDA topic.
Through the efforts of Steve Koch and others this amendment passed. The
reasoning behind it was to move the two communities closer together. It
would have enhanced the cross over possibilities which certainly would
benefit the Webber State and Emory type programs today. I felt this was a
teriffic opportunity to re-open dialog between NDT and CEDA (and BTW I was at
Northeastern State University at the time--NDT). Much to my dismay, when I
returned home, I was overwhelmed with "hate-calls and mail." One person
circulated a petition of impeachment against me. I was told by John Gossett
of the University of North Texas, that I would be forcefully removed from my
position if I did not change my vote and move for reconsideration of the
resolution at the Owen Coon Tournament. I gave in and gave my proxy to Robin
Rowland. The vote was overturned......Other committee members who had voted
with me received the same type of pressure. Thus, when I see some of my
former NDT colleagues pushing for rapproachment (several who had given me the
most grief in 1985/86), I have to be cynical. I'm not sure Mike that I
remember your position on the issue in 1985/86. I've never really lumped you
in with the folk who traditionally harbored such resentment and prejudice
toward the CEDA community. Perhaps these few remarks will place into
perspective the views I have toward a merger. I will try to push my
prejudices aside and objectively view the debate. I do feel that the CEDA
community has many internal problems which deserve our prior attention.
Steve Hunt made reference to several of them in his well-written piece
(forgive the pride of an old coach for one of his own). Mike Bartenan has
addressed many of the problems. But with all the problems, CEDA is a dynamic
organization--not unlike the Democratic party--and I'm VERY PROUD of
Emporia's membership in the organization and not because of any succes
achieved by my teams. Bear (my friend of too many years), I hope that this
will help you understand my position.
Glen Strickland
Director of Debate (Emporia State University)
Archive created by Jonathan Stanton (jonathan@cs.jhu.edu)
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