THE JUSTIN GRANT WILSON DEBATES
Pace Academy
Atlanta, Georgia

Tournament Format

            We will have a round robin tournament.  Each team will debate every other team entered.   For each round there will be one team who receives a bye.  The tournament will be held over a two-day period.  I will attempt to have two judges per debate.  If this is not possible, then one person will adjudicate.  At the conclusion of day two, there will be an awards presentation recognizing the top three speakers and top two teams of the round robin.

Food

Lunch will be provided each day. Dinner will be provided on Wednesday night and all participants can dine Thursday night on their own after the awards ceremony. There will be beverages and light snacks available throughout the tournament in the hospitality room. 

Housing

            We have not set up a block of rooms at any hotel, but there are MANY within close range of Pace Academy.  The Marriott Century Center (Emory Tournament Hotel) has an extended block that runs the whole week so you can get the same rates as you would for the weekend and won’t have to move hotels.  It’s not exceptionally close to Pace but is not terribly far either.  If you need guidance on where to stay near Pace, please let me know.   

Campus

Pace opened its US building a couple of years ago. It’s a beautiful space and I hope you enjoy it while you’re visiting. To that end, please be considerate of all of our facilities.  Classes will be going on around us so we ask that you be respectful of that and keep quiet between competition spaces. Please avoid taking food and beverages outside of the designated areas. Also, please be aware that Pace is a non-smoking environment. If you desire to smoke, you must leave the campus.

Fun Time

As in past years, we will be doing a fun activity during the round robin.  Different from years past however, we will be holding the fun activity Wednesday evening after competition has concluded instead of prior to round four.  Fun Time activity will be announced soon. 

Fees & Judging

            The entry fee for the Justin Wilson debates is $300.  The fee will cover meals, fun time, awards, and special hired judges.  We will accept entry fees in check form.  Please make checks payable to :

Pace Academy
ATTN: Abby Schirmer
966 West Paces Ferry Rd
Atlanta, GA 30327

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I am asking that each team bring a well-qualified judge for this tournament.  Each judge will be obligated for 3 debates.  Obligations may be split between a few individuals (if schools bring more than one coach).   If you cannot cover your judging, judges can be hired for a 200$ fee.  Once a list of judges and teams has been released, it is the responsibility of both judges and competitors to alert me of any conflicts in advance.  Judges are not permitted to disclose any decision until after the tournament has concluded.   This rule will be strictly enforced to ensure the quality of a round robin tournament.  Your cooperation in this is greatly appreciated.