The Speech & Debate Society of Phillips Academy

cordially invite you tothe 2nd annual

Big Blue Invitational

Sunday, May 5, 2024

The Big Blue Invitational is a one-day online tournament that offers competitors the ability to showcase their skills in Public Forum Debate. Our tournament is open to competitors of all levels, specifically catering to students in the high school and middle/junior high debate circuit. We recognize that this will take place at the end of the debate season. With that in mind, we strive to provide the most reliable, equitable, and fun experience, prioritizing an educational backdrop at this competition.

Format: This tournament will be held virtually through Zoom, with PF Debate taking place synchronously.

Eligibility: We welcome competitors from high school and middle schools of all levels of experience. Club entries and independent entries are welcome.

Events: Our tournament will offer Public Forum Debate. The NSDA Manual will serve as the official standard for adjudication. The PF Debate topic will be the April 2024 topic, which has not yet been released.

Judging: Our tournament is committed to providing quality judging. While we have a judging pool of volunteer debate alumni, we will require each school to enter one judge into the pool for every two entries in debate. If a team has only one entry total, we ask that they enter one judge, however, we understand if some flexibility is required here. If finding judges presents a hardship, please contact the tournament staff in advance for suggestions or alternatives.

Fees: We aim to provide the most competitive fees while supporting our speech and debate program. Public Forum Debate is set at $36/team. Fees can be paid online on sent via mailed cheque (more information to come). There are no miscellaneous hospitality or registration fees.

Judging Fees: We are happy to help coordinate judge hires on a case-by-case basis if you are unable to meet your team's judging obligation. There is a $75 fee per uncovered entry (or $25 per round) which will be added to your team's invoice. Please reach out to tournament coordinators if you anticipate needing to hire a judge.

Based on our school's motto of non-sibi (latin for "not for self") and the importance of need-blind admission, we are committed to creating an equitable experience for competitors of all backgrounds. If finance presents a hardship, please contact the tournament staff.

Awards: All finalists in each event will receive awards. Awards will be mailed following the completion of the tournament.

Schedule: (elimination rounds are subject to change based on entry numbers, debate rounds will be accelerated where possible)

Sunday, May 5 (all times are in Eastern Time)
9:30 AM - Introductory Remarks & Attendance / Judge Training
10:30 AM - PF Debate Round 1
12:15 PM - PF Debate Round 2
2:00 PM - PF Debate Round 3 (power-matched)
3:45 PM - PF Debate Semifinals
5:15 PM - PF Debate Finals
7:00 PM - Awards Ceremony

Registration will take place through Tabroom and will close on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 8:00 PM Eastern Time.

Questions? Contact Anna Korczak, Tournament Director, at akorczak24@andover.edu.