Dear Friends,

The University of Rochester Debate Union is pleased to invite you to the first annual H. Brad Smith Memorial Debate Tournament, taking place Saturday, September 24^th and Sunday, September 25^th at the gorgeous autumnal wonderland that is the University of Rochester campus. Our tournament is named in memory of H. Brad Smith, a longtime and invaluable supporter of the University of Rochester Debate Union. We are thankful that Brad’s wife Jane Smith will be joining us to celebrate Brad and, as always, to help us run the tournament.

This year our tournament will serve as the CEDA Northeast Regional Season Opener! We’ll be offering five preliminary rounds of Novice debate (four on Saturday and one on Sunday) and six rounds of JV and Open debate (we will have a JV division if entries permit). Elimination rounds to follow, breaking to Octos or Quarters depending on the size of the field.

As always, we’ll strive to keep that spirit that Brad brought to the “BS Debate Tournament” going strong this Fall!

Basic Tournament Info and Contacts:

Tournament Director: Brady Fletcher

Tab director(s): Joe Schatz

Registration and Entry Questions/Concerns: Please enter all teams on tabroom.com by Tuesday before the tournament.

Email any registration questions or concerns to Brady Fletcher at brady.fletcher@rochester.edu.

The judging requirement will be n-1 to ensure we have a large enough judge pool. That judge pool will only be as strong as your judges, so please be good community members and bring your extraordinary critics!

We will also have some limited funds to hire additional judges – please reach out to Brady with inquiries.

The remainder of this invitation includes all the necessary information for registration and lodging, as well as the schedule. We hope to see you at our tournament in November – please let me know if we can do anything to help make that happen. I can be reached at (585) 755-5156 for any last-minute questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Brady Fletcher

Director, University of Rochester Debate Union

Registration

Entry fees will be $50 per team. That fee will cover breakfast and lunch on both days.

Judging is n-1. There will be a $100 fee for each missing judge, but as hired judges are limited, we would rather have your judges than your money! If you have extra judging please make us aware when you register, as we may be willing to hire your extra critics.

Please make all checks payable to “University of Rochester.”

Lodging (recommendations nearby, no official “tournament hotel”)

Staybridge (by far the most geographically convenient, 10-15-minute walk to tournament – and with nice weather, a delightful walk across the great Genesee River)

Best Western (near airport, 5min drive to campus)

Sexual Harassment and Discrimination

The University of Rochester will uphold the principle of debate in an atmosphere of civility and mutual respect. All our guests should be treated fairly without regard to race, creed, age, gender identity, sex, national origin, and sexual orientation. Any incidences of harassment or discrimination should be reported to the tournament director (Brady Fletcher) immediately.

Tournament Schedule

Saturday

7:00am – 8am                      Registration and Breakfast in Hutchison Hall

8am                                        Round 1 Start

10:30am                                Round 2 Start

12:30-1:30                            Lunch in Hutchison Hall

1:30                                        Round 3 Start

4:00                                        Round 4 Start

Sunday

7–8am                                   Breakfast and Check-in, Hutchison Hall

8am                                        Round 5 Start                      

10:30                                      Round 6 (or Quarters if Open Entries Warrant ) Start / Nov Elim Round 1 

12:30-1:30pm                      Lunch and Awards, Hutchison Hall

1:30pm                                  Elim Round 2

3:30pm                                 Elim Round 3