News

Debate Team Makes Elite Eight in National Tournament

For several years the Policy Debate Team has been working to rebuild its national stature held in the 1970s and 1980s, but participation has been limited to regional competitions—until now. This year, building upon its success at the Regional Championships and other tournaments and with support from alumni, the Political Science Department, and their coaches who volunteer their time, the team was able to compete again on the national stage. Underestimated, largely unknown, and rivaling teams with greater financial resources, the debate team surprised many with their high placing, roughly the equivalent of the Elite Eight in the NCAA basketball tournament.

Vying against 25 schools from across the country and nearly 50 debate partnerships, the UMass Amherst Policy Debate team won 5th place at the Cross-Examination Debate Association (CEDA) JV/Novice National Tournament in Towson, Maryland. Colin Downes ’10 (philosophy) and Andrew Geathers ’10 (political science) were the 5th place team in the JV tournament field and, the team of Joaquin Walker ’09 (political science) and Lindsay Russell ’09 (political science) finished 17th in the Novice division.

The 8-person national squad also includes Rebekah Wilder ’09 (journalism), Cody Legros ’12 (political science/philosophy), Zac Ryan ’12 (philosophy), and Grace Boal ’10 (art history). The entire team did remarkably well in a series of debates on whether or not the United States should eliminate all of its agricultural subsidies, but the highlight was that two members of the team were selected as the tournament’s top speakers. Andrew Geathers was ranked 13th and Joaquin Walker was 17th for the entire tournament.

The debate team’s commitment is strong, as evidenced by their successes in recent history: 2nd place in Novice at Northeast Regional Championships (2008), 1st place in Novice at Cornell University (2008), 2nd place in Novice at Gotham City Debates (2008), top speaker at Rochester (2007), 5th place in JV at Northeast Regional Championships (2009) and now their strong national showing. Debaters are already working on next year's topic and are eagerly awaiting the return of several members from Study Abroad programs. After this return to the national stage, the team is hopeful that next year will bring attendance at multiple national tournaments with similar impressive results.

To read an article about the rebirth of the Policy Debate Team at UMass Amherst, click here. Those interested in contributing to the team can mail checks payable to UMass Amherst (please specify Policy Debate Team) to Saige Reisler, SBS director of development, Draper Hall, 40 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA 01003.

March 26, 2009