Liberty University Debate Tournament

January 24 – January 26, 2020

Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia

Format: 

Topic: 

Resolved: The United States Federal Government should establish a national space policy substantially increasing its international space cooperation with the People’s Republic of China and/or the Russian Federation in one or more of the following areas:

•   arms control of space weapons;

•   exchange and management of space situational awareness information;

•   joint human spaceflight for deep space exploration;

•   planetary defense;

•   space traffic management;

•   space-based solar power.

Sanctioning:  The tournament will be sanctioned by the ADA and CEDA and will be run in accordance with their rules.  The most recent copy of the ADA rules can be found at https://americandebateassociation.com/standing-rules/.   

Preliminary rounds:  There will be six preliminary rounds.  Rounds one and two will be pre-set. Rounds three through six will be power matched. Three divisions of debate will be offered: novice, junior varsity, and open.

Elimination rounds:  An appropriate number of elimination rounds will be offered in accordance with the ADA rules and based on the size of the tournament.  We anticipate breaking ½ of each division with the possibility of double-octos if justified by entries.

Entries:

Eligibility: Eligibility for participation in each division is governed by ADA and CEDA rules.  In cases where eligibility rules between the ADA and CEDA differ, the more restrictive rule will be applied.  Our intent is to ensure that the novice and junior varsity division are eligible to earn both ADA and CEDA sweepstakes points.

Definition of a Debate Team:  For the purposes of ADA tournaments, a debate team is defined as the two-person team that begins the first round of the tournament and who debate together throughout the course of the tournament. If one of the debaters of a team cannot debate in any given round, that round will be forfeited. To debate in a round is defined as to give one constructive speech and one rebuttal.  Speaker points in forfeit situations will be averaged, but the team forfeiting is ineligible to clear to elimination rounds if speaker points are the determining factor for their clearing. The debate may still occur for educational purposes. However, that team will still be eligible for speaker awards and elimination rounds.

Hybrids: Hybrid teams may participate in preliminary rounds and are eligible to clear. 

Deadline:  Please enter the tournament by January 20, 2020 using tabroom.com.  After that date e-mail entry changes directly to Nick Ryan (nryan2wc at gmail).

            Drops:  Teams dropped after the January 20 deadline will be responsible for all participant fees.

Tournament Registration: Please email nryan2wc at gmail when you start your travel to Lynchburg to confirm that there are no changes to your tabroom entry.  If you are paying by credit card, please call Tina Gilbert at (434) 582-2080 before 5pm on Friday, January 24 to pay your entry fees.  If you are paying with cash or check, you can stop by the tabroom during the tournament.

Judging:

Commitment:  Each school must provide 3 rounds of qualified judging for each team entered in the tournament.  All judges will be required to judge through the quarter-final elimination round or one round after your last team is eliminated whichever occurs later. 

Hired Judging:  Please use tabroom to coordinate your hired judging.  The tournament will have a limited number of rounds per available for hire at $40 per round.  If you need to hire judges, please enter early.

Judge Placement:  Judges will be placed using mutual preference in all divisions in a manner consistent with ADA and CEDA rules.

            Speaker Points:  We will use a 30 point scale with .1 increments.  No ties are allowed.

Decision Time:  Judges are expected to render a decision within 2:15 of the announced start time in prelims and 2:30 of the announced start time in elims. If the judge is unable to make a decision within that time, the tab room will randomly decide a winner by coin flip.

Fees and Awards:

Awards: Awards will be provided to the top sixteen teams and the top ten speakers in each division.

Fees: Entry fees are $60 per participant (debater, coach, judge, or observer).  Make checks payable to Liberty University Debate. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover for those wishing to pay by credit card.  If you are paying by credit card, please call Tina Guilbert at (434) 582-2080 before 5pm on Friday, January 24 to pay your entry fees. Fees include all meals starting with dinner on Friday, a well-stocked hospitality room, and the awards reception on Saturday.  Additional reception tickets may be purchased for $15 per person (for persons only attending the reception).

Hotel Accommodations: 

We have a block of rooms reserved at the Courtyard by Marriott, Lynchburg at a rate of $99.00/night.  This hotel is very close to the campus and you are unlikely to find a better rate nearby.

            Courtyard by Marriott-Lynchburg

            Rate:  $99 + state and local taxes

            Group name:  Liberty Debate

            Tel:  (434) 846-7900

Deadline:  Reservations must be made by Monday, December 23, 2020.  After December 23, reservations will be made at the market rate based on availability.

Transportation: If you are flying to the tournament, American Airlines provides flights to the Lynchburg Regional Airport. Rates to Lynchburg are usually competitive with rates to Roanoke (50 minutes away), Charlottesville (80 minutes away), and Greensboro (2 hours away).  Rental cars and vans are available.

Directions:

To Liberty University: Liberty University is located on Candler’s Mountain Road in the Southeast corner of Lynchburg, Virginia. Major roads through Lynchburg going North and South include Interstate 29 and State Highway 501. Divided Highway 460 serves Lynchburg from the East and West. Signs mark campus exits on both Interstate 29 and 460.

Public Transportation: Transportation options to Lynchburg area include American Airlines, Amtrak, and the Greyhound bus line.

Special Announcements: Alcoholic beverage consumption is not allowed on the Liberty University campus.

Liberty is a smoke free and vape free campus.  Smoking and vaping is prohibited anywhere on campus. Your cooperation will help to guarantee our ability to host future tournaments.

30^thLiberty University Debate Tournament

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Friday, January 24

3:50 p.m.             Pairings Released for rounds 1 and 2

4:20 p.m.             Stop coaching and judges report

4:30 p.m.             Round 1

6:30 p.m.             Pizza Available outside of the hospitality room

7:05 p.m.             Stop coaching and judges report

7:15 p.m.             Round 2

Saturday, January 25

7:30 a.m.              Breakfast (outside hospitality room)

7:30 a.m.              Pairings released for rounds 3 and 4

8:20 a.m.              Stop coaching/judges report

8:30 a.m.              Round 3

11:05 a.m.            Stop coaching/judges report

11:15 a.m.            Round 4

1:00 p.m.            Lunch (provided) 

1:50 p.m.             Parings released for round 5

2:20 p.m.             Stop coaching/judges report

2:30 p.m.             Round 5

5:00 p.m.             Pairings released for round 6

5:30 p.m.             Stop coaching/judges report

5:40 p.m.             Round 6

7:45 p.m.            Tournament Reception Begins

Sunday, January 26

7:00 a.m.              Breakfast and Pairings Released (DeMoss Hall – 1^st Floor)

8:00 a.m.              Elimination Rounds begin (DeMoss Hall)

Bagels, Breakfast Bars, Coffee and Juice will be available in the hospitality room.