Invitation

West Bend

Halloween Challenge Debate Tournament

Format:

Saturday, October 25th, in person at West Bend East/West High Schools (1305 E. Decorah Rd. West Bend, WI 53095,) using a challenge format.

Topics: LD and PF will use the September/October topics

NCX Packet restrictions will remain in place

Divisions: We’re offering all 6 WDCA divisions. If a division isn’t viable on its own, we will collapse divisions. If we need to do that, we will try to keep them separate for round 1. After that, it will be treated as 1 division. Once combined, we will not sort JV to the bottom of the draw. We will attempt to hand out awards for JV and Varsity divisions, even if we combine them.

Judges: 1 for every two entries, or fraction thereof. LD, PF, NCX, and VCX pools will remain separate to the extent possible. We will move judges where necessary and logical. Obligations are calculated by style of debate, not division.

Fees: Policy and PF $35, LD $25. Make checks payable to West Bend Debate and mail to West Bend Debate ℅ John Knetzger 1305 E. Decorah Road West Bend, WI 53095. We reserve the right to fine schools for missing/late judges.

Deadline: Entries are frozen at 6 PM on Wednesday, October 22nd. You are obligated for all entries you have as of that point plus any you add later.

Hired judges: Might be available for $150, based on availability. There will be a spot on tabroom to request a hired judge.

Tournament format:

Rounds will not be paired by the computer, Teams will have the opportunity to choose their own opponent. We will have boards set up with teams separated into 2 columns based on the results of the previous round (or a random order for round 1). Starting at the bottom of each column, teams will choose an opponent from the teams on their side of the board. In policy and LD, the team challenged will choose sides. In PF, the challenged team wins the coin toss. Teams may debate a second time. If they do, something must be different (sides in Policy/LD, sides or speaker order in PF).

Two restrictions are in place.

1. Teams may not debate their own school, provided they aren’t more than half of the column to begin with.

2. Teams may not force a school to debate itself.

We will go over the process before we begin the challenges. If this is new for you, don’t worry, it’s fun and you’ll catch on quickly. If you’ve been around for a while, the process will feel pretty similar to the Appleton East Challenge of such happy memory.

Schedule:

Saturday:

Check in online by 7:15. It’s essential and we reserve the right to drop schools who don’t check in online and on time.

Round 1 challenges begin at 7:45 AM in the West Cafeteria

Round 1 will begin ASAP after the challenge concludes.

Rounds will continue as quickly as possible. You will have time to eat, though we might not take an official lunch break.

PF/LD will have 5 rounds

Policy will have 3 rounds

There will not be any elimination rounds. Awards will follow the last round. The challenge process adds a little time to the day. We estimate awards around 4 PM, though last year, we finished well before this time.

Concessions: We will have food. It will be good. You will want to buy some. If you have dietary needs, please reach out ASAP and we’ll work together on it.

Key Rooms: Students and Adults will gather in the West Cafeteria. Tab is TBA

Questions?? Please ask. I don’t work in the building so please don’t call the school. They won’t be able to help you.

John Knetzger

Head Coach

John.Knetzger@gmail.com

414.378.2839

Rachael Granec

Assistant Coach