2023 Blacksnake NIETOC Tournament

January 6-7 at Idaho State University

In loving memory of Peggy Oliver and Leora Hansen

Friends, thank you for attending the 66th Annual Blacksnake Tournament at Idaho State University! As always, we strive to run an efficient tournament. Technology has permitted us to pool judges and competitors to reduce walking across campus in the lovely Idaho winter weather. Please note the following:

The LD topic for Novice, JV and Varsity will be the NSDA January/February topic: Justice requires open borders for human migration.

The PF topic for Novice, JV and Varsity will be the NSDA January topic: The United States Federal Government should increase its diplomatic efforts to peacefully resolve internal armed conflicts in West Asia.

Policy will use the NSDA/NFHS topic: The United States federal government should substantially increase its security cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in one or more of the following areas: artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity.

Congress submissions are due DECEMBER 10 and the legislative packet sent on December 12. The docket for this tournament will be set in Session 1 through submission of proposed docket order, not by individual bill.

Speech will follow IHSAA rules concerning timing and content, but judges will be given direct instruction to disregard the rule in EXTEMP prohibiting notecards and will allow one side of one 3x5 notecard. Judges will be instructed to take into consideration if scripts detracted from the quality of a speech, but they will not be instructed to prevent a scripted student from taking first in a round.

Sponsors
This year, we opened sponsorship opportunities to allow alumni and community members to support specific events in an attempt to offset the cost to participants. Please see our sponsor page to learn a little more about the generous people who helped cover tournament costs.

Friday

8:00 Registration at the Student Union Building Theater Lobby

8:30 Opening Meeting

9:00 Round 1 Speech

11:00 Round 2 Speech

12:45 Lunch

1:00 Round 1 Debate

3:00 Round 2 Debate

5:00 Dinner

5:15 Round 3 Debate

7:30 Round 3 Speech

9:30 DONE

Friday Congress

1:00-1:15 PO Nominations and Set Docket

1:15-4:15 Session 1

4:30-7:30 Session 2

Saturday

8:00 Semi Final Round Speech

10:00 Round 4 Debate

12:00 LUNCH

12:30 Final Speech

2:00 Round 5 Debate (Hidden Quarter Finals Policy)

4:00 Semi Final Policy

4:15 Open Quarterfinals for LD and PF

5:45 Awards

6:45 PF/LD Semi Finals; Final Policy

8:00 PF/LD Finals

9:00 DONE

Saturday Congress

9:30-12:30 Session 3

2:30-5:30 Super Congress