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Re: SSDS and Revolution


Joey makes some excellent arguments as usual.  I have always admired the
initiative he and guys like Ken Delaughder took to stay competitive.  I
was privileged to judge them both in their debating days and they were
always informed and prepared despite lacking the support systems larger
schools enjoyed.

We, as Joey suggests, are not going anywhere.  We will remain committed to
and involved in CEDA as long as students remain willing to compete there.
I guess my problem is an overly large love of debate and an enjoyment of
competing at the highest level.  Yes, we got to debate a team from
Northwestern at nationals and enjoyed getting our butts kicked--but where
else can a small (I mean REALLY SMALL--830 ft undergrads) compete with a
school like Northwestern?!

Scott Elliott is right--this is a huge topic--but I for one am fascinated
with learning about an area of the world that I literally knew nothing
about.  I definitely appreciate the problems that Scott discusses, but
none of those problems make me want to desert CEDA--they just make me want
to redouble my efforts.  Last year one of my best debaters grew
discouraged with debate--I told him then, and I repeat now--you may not be
a part of our eventual success--but WE WILL SUCCEED!  Maybe not in terms
of national recognition , but in terms of the rewards of competing in
debate--huge knowledge increases, research abilities, critical thinking
skills, interaction with the best and brightest--both students and
coaches.

I personally don't think those things are possible competing any place but
with the best.  Yes, we have lost the opportunity to compete with many of
the schools that we used to engage--like CMSU and SBU--who have moved to
other formats--but debate is no less enjoyable.

We are working like hell to get ready for the coming season.  I will
attend the NDI coaching clinic and 3 debaters will attend NDI camp.  I
have put together a debate team e-mail discussion group including
returning and new debaters and we are reading, researching and debating
the ins and outs
of the topic area.  These students will come together for a 3-day debate
workshop prior to the opening of school, only 5 days after traveling to
NDI.  We believe we can compete, and even though our second semester
record is dismal, it will get better as more and better students from our
school get better and better prepared.  I wish Scott well, but I don't
believe the solution is another debate organization--I believe, as Joey
suggests, that we small schools should work smarter and harder--and even
if we don't "win" we still win by competing with the best!

Gary Rees
Central Methodist College 
Fayette, MO 65248 816-248-3392 x273
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Archive created by Jonathan Stanton (jonathan@cs.jhu.edu)
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