Judging

Hired Judging
We will have a limited number of judges for hire at $300(for both days). Please request hires early. We may accept additional out-of-category judges in lieu of hiring; please contact the tournament director.  Every time a judge misses a round, it's a $300 fine per judge per round.

Judge Strikes
We will use a judge strike system for debate events. You can create a strike when completing registration in Tabroom. (If necessary, you will be given your strike cards at registration held at BPHS.)

Judging Requirements
Lincoln-Douglas – 1 judge for every two debaters
Public Forum – 1 judge for every two teams (combined JV/Silver and Varsity/Gold)
Congressional Debate – 1 judge for every five combined Speech/Congress entries
Speech Events – 1 judge for every five combined Speech/Congress entries

Judge requirements round up in all cases – please, no half judges

Judge Behavior:

There are no tournaments without judges and we aim to treat our judges well. We expect that judges treat the tournament and all participants equally well. Judges who fail to report for assignments or who act improperly may be removed from the tournament; schools who fall below judging requirements as a result may forfeit rounds. 

For our judges, Bethel Park School District requires the following clearances: PA Child Abuse History, State Police Criminal Record Check, and FBI Criminal History Record… BUT I will defer to your home school requirements and your coach will be responsible for providing experienced judges with appropriate clearances.

All judges are REQUIRED to fill out the judging philosophy

Obligations 

Debate judges are obligated through Quarters or two rounds past the school’s furthest advancing competitor, whichever is later;

and Speech judges are obligated through Finals.

Entourage Rule

Every person that attends (and is not a parent or chaperone) is required to be entered as a judge, absolutely no exceptions.  If someone comes and refuses to judge, their school is fined $500 per person.