Kansas Debate Classic Invitational

You and your team are cordially invited to the Kansas Debate Classic (KDC)  held January 4th and 5th, 2019 at Wichita East HS. This event celebrates the vast majority of Kansas high school debaters by crowning a traditional policy debate champion across all classifications. Kansas programs who uphold the principles of traditional policy debate are encouraged to attend. Registration will open up on Friday November 30th.

Qualifications:

Individual students who wish to attend must meet the following qualification standards: 66% win/loss (or higher) at 4 (or more) tournaments in the top division above the novice/JV level, or in the open division at DCI qualifying tournaments. No more than 4 teams from each school may enter the KDC. Entries will be submitted via a form provided at a later date by the committee. 

Entries:

All entries will be waitlisted at registration.  Please prioritize your entries in order as requested by Tabroom.  Once entry is complete in Tabroom, you must fill out the qualification application provided at the link below.  We intend to allow 75 teams into the tournament at this time.  No qualification applications will be considered if timestamped before regsitration opens at 5:00 pm.

https://goo.gl/forms/fpW0JbexjOX6R5nA2

PLEASE REALIZE that history has shown that many schools are quick to enter teams, then “drop” one or more teams after Winter Break, which is too late for other schools to add teams.  Our goal is to accommodate all entries, but like most schools, we are limited by the total number of rooms we have available for debates.  Thus, please make reasonable choices when you enter and maximize the number of schools/teams that can participate in this year’s Sunflower Invitational.

Judging:

Schools will be required to bring 1 judge for every two teams. 

The committee reserves the right to utilize community judges, including a “celebrity” (policy-makers and former coaches) pool for out-rounds, who are experienced in traditional debate practices. 

Qualifications: Judges are encouraged in making decisions to keep in mind the following definition of traditional debate: “Debates should focus around the policy implications of plans  attached to the resolution in a moderately conversational pace.”  Coaches should carefully consider their judge choices, bringing individuals they would want to critique their own debaters who engage in a traditional style. This criteria includes: (1) lay judges: defined as people with no competitive debate experience, though they may have judged before. Example: a parent who has previously judged. (2) Former traditional high school debaters/coaches in tune with the vision of this tournament. (3) Head or assistant coaches. Lastly, in line with KSHSAA state championship rules, no judges should be in their first year out of high school.

Fees and Awards:

Fees will be $20 per entry. In addition to out-rounds participants, every student will receive a custom medal. Additional awards include speaker awards, out-round plaques, and an engravable traveling trophy to the tournament victor.

Format & Logistics:

Open tab, 6 preliminary debates (3 Friday), followed by paneled out-rounds where all 4-2’s or better will clear to at least a partial elimination debate. The topic will be this year’s debate resolution. All KSHSAA rules apply.

Administration:

The committee responsible for administering the KDC consists of 5 members; 4 elected and the host. Current committee members consist of: Megan Hagaman (Salina South HS), Melissa Loepp (Hutchinson HS), Chris Riffer (Blue Valley HS), Steve Harrell (Tonganoxie HS), and Mike Harris (Wichita East HS). 

We look forward to seeing you and your students in January! 

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact any of the standing committee members.