419 McDowell Street, Asheville, NC 28803

Dear Forensic Colleagues:

On behalf of the Asheville High and SILSA Debate teams, it is my pleasure to invite you to the 19th annual Asheville High Cougar Classic Speech and Debate tournament to be held on Saturday, November 23rd, 2019.  This tournament typically draws between 500 and 600 students from about 35 schools representing 3-4 states.

NEW THIS YEAR:  We will be breaking to a final session of Congress.  Additionally, we hope to break to finals in speech events and semifinals in debate events.  This depends on us having enough rooms and judges to single flight and single pattern our four preliminary rounds.  We reserve the right to cancel break rounds if it becomes logistically impossible. In this case, final placement from the four preliminary rounds will determine the winners.

Please note that we offer a JV and Varsity format in debate and congress. JV is defined as anyone in their first two years of competition in ANY speech and debate event.  All speech events will be OPEN except for Novice Reading, which is for those in their first year, and Declamation, which is for those in their first two years of experience.

Public Forum will be using the new NSDA rules adding an extra minute to the summary speeches and an extra minute of prep time.

  
We will offer 1st - 6th place individual awards in each event having 12 or more entries. Additional awards beyond 6th place will be offered for events with more than 30 entries.  Large sweepstakes cups will be given to the top six overall teams as well as a special percentage sweepstakes award for the smaller, non-sweepstakes team that has the biggest percentage of team members winning trophies (must have 5 - 15 entries to be eligible).   We believe that the smaller schools also should have a chance at the “big trophy.”  So if you are a smaller school, this could be your big chance!

Hospitality will be everything you have come to know and love at the Cougar Classic.  From our famous multi-item complimentary buffet for judges to our eclectic mix of food truck vendors for the students, there's something for everyone.  We've even been told by some teams that they come just for the food!

We respectfully ask that only coaches register teams for this tournament.  For liability purposes, we also require that a school faculty member or adult approved in writing by the school administration be present with the team on the Asheville High campus at all times during the tournament.

Additionally, due to liability issues, we are not able to accept independent entries.  Each team must be representing an actual school by name and be registered by an official at that school.

On behalf of our team, our booster club, our parents, and our entire coaching staff, we extend to you a warm invitation to attend the 19th annual Cougar Classic!

Most sincerely,

Keith Pittman,  Director of Forensics | Head Coach

Asheville High School / SILSA Speech and Debate Team

Assistant Coaches:

Congressional Debate: Vern Lepa, William Wallace

Lincoln Douglas:  Neil Clement, Kristy Decker

Public Forum: Kim Fink-Adams, Jacob Kerber

Speech: Will Smith, Julie Carlinnia