Tim Cook, Salado HS

tim.cook@saladoisd.org

I debated in high school and college. I have been coaching for over 40 years.

TFA State

I will not tolerate speed! I will say clear and then stop flowing. If I don't flow it, you don't get it. I will not be flowing from a doc.

Don't run theory unless there is real in round abuse (Not a fan of theory).

K and other progressive arguments (Not a fan). Don't assume I am familiar with the lit on your K.

I am very traditional! Establish a framework and link offense back to it.

No flex-prep

Flashing part of prep time.

Congress

Prefer clash or topical AGD. Have 2 developed arguments with good evidence. Think think tanks.

Clash and no rehash essential.

Make me laugh! DO NOT BE RUDE OR OVERLY AGGRESSIVE. Have fun.

PO's must run efficient and fair rounds. Don’t make parliamentary mistakes.

Ask me more specific questions.

Speech/Extemp

I have coached multiple UIL State champions, TFA state finalist and TOC finalist.

Answer the question! Have a clear thesis and three germane points. Prefer quality over quantity of evidence. Love AGD to be weaved throughout the speech.

Prefer controlled gestures, not repetitive. Movement should have meaning.

Ask me more specific questions.

LD

Establish a framework and link offensive back. I prefer substantive arguments over the resolution.

I will accept any argument as long as it is not offensive.

I will not tolerate speed. It will definitively result in low speaker points and could result in a loss if I don’t flow your argument.

Topicality needs to have a real abuse story.

Theory, CP and K are fine. If you are reading a K don’t assume I familiar with the argument and literature. The K needs to have a pragmatic alt. Theory needs a real abuse story.

Make sure speeches are organized and responsive to your opponent’s argument.

Don’t make do a lot of work for you because I won’t.

CX

My default paradigm is policy maker. I prefer substantive arguments over the resolution.

I will accept any argument as long as it is not offensive.

I will not tolerate speed. It will definitively result in low speaker points and could result in a loss if I don’t flow your argument.

Topicality needs to have a real abuse story.

Theory, CP and K are fine. If you are reading a K don’t assume I familiar with the argument and literature.

The K needs to have a pragmatic alt.

Make sure speeches are organized and responsive to your opponent’s argument.

Don’t make do a lot of work for you because I won’t.

Hello! I am Christy Cruz from Travis Bryan High School.

I am a parent/Lay judge and I usually judge in the novice divisions, but in case I have to judge varsity, here are my Preferences.

1= I know and comfortable judging.

2= A little confusing, but I can understand.

3= Very confusing, but I will try to understand.

4= Way to confusing and likely won't understand. (Strike)

Traditional/UIL style- 1

LARP/Policy- 2

K- 3

K/Performance Affs- 4

Topicality-3

Theory- 4

Philosophy- 1

I am a coach of all forms of speech and debate events. I competed at the high school and collegiate level in interp, speech and debate.

Debate:

I would consider myself tab with a default to policymaker. I would prefer debaters establish what I should vote on and how to weigh the round. I believe it is important for the debaters to tell me why arguments are important and why they are winning it. I will vote on anything and I will not vote on anything all at the same time. It's important for you to tell me where to vote. I do not like hearing arguments that are completely squirrel of the topic at hand (ie: scream K). Feel me to ask questions if you have concerns or questions. I would prefer speakers be slow down and be very clear on the tag lines, dates and theory arguments. Speed is fine and I can flow it. I will yell "clear" if you are not.

Speech:

Organization & Clarity with supporting documentation is key. When I am judging these events, I am looking for clear justification for the topic you chose. I am looking for you to be clear in your overall organization, but the internal thesis of your ideas need to be developed and organized also. I believe ethos, logos and pathos need to be developed and deployed each and every time you speak.

Interp:

I am looking for originality. I am looking at individuals to create clear and distinct characters. I need to see you develop strong, believable characters. Tell your story.

Clarity:

If you have questions, please feel free to ask.

Howdy, my name is Daniel Gardiner and I'm a political science major from Corpus Christi TX but most importantly I am the loudest and proudest member of the fighting Texas Aggie class of 2026. I competed in debate all four years of high school at the local state and national level having the privilege to attend some really great tournaments like Bluekey, University of Texas, TOC, and more. I have separate paradigms listed for each event I consider myself qualified to judge.

Congress: I did nats circuit congressional debate all across the country and man do I love the event. I think its important to remember that although the event allows for a lot of theatrics and really cool speaking styles it is a debate event. Presentation and argumentation are both extremely significant for my ballot. Present bad arguments that do not have a big impact on the round and I'll probably drop you. For early round speakers I expect you to frame the debate dive deep into the legislation and what it does and really outline the impact of an aff or neg vote. Late round speakers should have a lot of refutation with a mix of new points. Evidence and analysis work together to create solid claims and warrants I expect both in a point. Please be respectful to other speakers and address each other properly when bringing their name up in questions or speeches. With that being said I appreciate all types of AGDs in introductions as long as they are not canned. Never call me sir or Mr during a round I will not drop you for it but I much prefer Daniel or parli depending on my role in the round. For Po's you'll get a good rank from me as long as you do not mess up. If you speak off of a laptop the highest rank I will give you is 6. (unless the room is not super competitive)

Extemp: I competed in FX at the local level and DX at all levels. I try to keep up with significant news findings in both national and international news so do not BS or lie in round about a situation or crisis that is in your question chances are I'll catch it. With that being said things that lack objective truths such as "whether or not US impact in the Middle East has been positive" I will listen to multiple viewpoints as long as you have evidence backing your claims. Examples of good evidence for me include thinktanks, empirical studies, and experts regarding the field in question. Bad evidence includes opinion pages, encyclopedias, or highly controversial sites that generally misrepresent information because of bias. The most common ones I see presented too much are progon.org, Fox News, and CNN. Stick to neutral sources like NPR, Politico, or Carnegie. I am not afraid to vote people down for lying about sources if you forget an article do not BS and say some generic site like CNN I traditionally fact check all sources unless I miss the name of one. Dates, as long as you are close to the publishing date don't worry about it. I love great citations that explain author qualifications or how research is conducted.

LD: Lincoln Douglas debate is definitely one of the hardest events to find major success in so props to you guys for picking up the event. I competed in LD at the local and state level but nothing beyond that. First things first I expect to be on the email chain every time there is one if the competitors are both okay with not seeing the case that's fine with me just remember that if you choose to speak fast. I am okay with spreading it will not doc speaker points for me as long as you slow down for taglines and author names. If you are competing against someone that would prefer you not to spread please consider that before you start the round the last thing we wanna do is scare people away from the activity, prioritizing the ballot above someone's well-being is not cool and I will reflect that in your speaker points. I get that rounds can be frustrating but please be respectful in round do not swear unless it is specific to the literature you are using. Finally on the argumentation side I will evaluate any argument that is not offensive. Racism, sexism, homophobia I will instantly drop and not flow the rest of the debate. I hate K's that have no link to the topic or your opponents case. If your running a competing model of debate strategy I will try to fully consider it but no promises. I personally appreciate theory arguments like T and condo so feel free to run them. Framing is important but if you have no offense as long as your opponent does a decent job establishing that they will probably win my ballot. LARPing is fine. Performance aff is fine just explain the significance of it in the 1AC not the 1AR. I do not like music in the background while I am flowing it distracts me and I'll start dancing when I should be judging. Finally I would say this for all of you that see me my name before judging. I would much rather debate/judge a traditional round than a progressive round because I believe they are more fun and less stressful. That does not mean you have to go trad but I thought y'all would like the heads up. Have never voted for disclosure and do not plan on it.

OO: I have no competitive experience in OO but I have briefly coached the event and have had the privilege of being on a team with one of the best orators in the country. What I look for in a piece is something that has a very real impact and something that is relatable! That covers a significant number of topic areas so what will distance yourself from other speakers in the room for my ballot is presentation and analysis. I pay super close attention to tone, I love a speaker that can take me on an adventure using conversational tactics and then moving from conversational to funny, serious, compassionate, and other areas. I know this is not debate but I do expect at least some qualified evidence to back your claims. I do not think there is a 100% accurate formula in terms of speech structure but I tend to support speeches with a simple problem solution format as I think it makes the most sense for this type of event. Finally, I will always vote up the speaker that makes me think about the squo and what is wrong with it. If I have to question my actions or other people's actions as a result of the speech and the speech also gives me a way to solve those actions or lack of actions then you are in the right direction. OO's should not be interp pieces I do not like you pretending to be a character or having overly dramatic transitions.

Email: gardidk367@gmail.com

I am a lay judge and the parent of a debater. Put me on the email chain: quanli235@gmail.com

Arguments should be clear and logical and structured well. Truth > tech. Avoid fluffy rhetoric and be specific to the debate.

I like strong evidence and empirical data in debate that supports your argument, and explain how the evidence supports the argument. Positions and arguments put forward.

Compare and weigh arguments against each other and explain why yours is the most important in the debate.

Please talk normally.

No theory, K, or Trix.

Extemp: I'm a big believer in the AGD - make me want to hear more. Be as creative as you'd like in coming up with an AGD or "hook" - but you definitely need something to make me sit up and pay attention. Answer the question. The more sources, and the more variety in the sources, the better. Be engaging and conversational - I want to see your personality shine through your speech. Don't forget to answer the question. Analyze your points thoroughly. Tie your conclusion back to your AGD or intro. Make sure you answer the question.

OO/Informative: Defend your thesis throughout your performance. Be engaging and conversational - I want to see your personality shine through your speech.

POI: Don't forget to refer to your manuscript throughout your performance - this event is not memorized. The best pieces are the ones that transition between genres seamlessly - unless the sharp contrast between prose, poetry, and/or drama is intentional. Characterization is huge - let me see the personality of your characters.

HI/DI/DUO/DUET: Please don't confuse me with too much blocking, or blocking that is overly specific and detailed. I want to see YOU - not some tiny imaginary thing you're holding. Be animated and as engaging as possible.

Hello everyone, my name is Shehryaar Niazi. I am an 18-year-old freshman at Texas A&M University studying Biochemistry and I am interested in taking my career into the medicinal field. I participated in debates during my freshman and sophomore year. I competed in a few TFA tournaments, and the NHI Great Debate, but mostly participated in UIL tournaments.

LD: I am a traditional judge and I'm looking for a framework and good contentions. I am not okay with spreading or highly progressive arguments that do not link to the topic. You should have both evidence and analysis that support your argument. Anyone can read a card but not everyone can successfully emphasize the significance of that card in the debate.

Extemp: In extemp, I expect every speaker to answer the prompt effectively with clear-cut points and sources that support their claims. I appreciate good citations that explain the merits of how the information was found. I do not like opinion polls and encyclopedias or highly controversial sites like FOX News as sources.

For congressional debate:

it is called debate not repetition. Clash is not optional.(there is a fine line between clash and disrespect, tread carefully)

I value the ability to adapt, control the room don't let it control you. Earn respect and you win the room.

if you cause the room to not move to previous-question, you better have the most important speech of the legislation.

if you volunteer to PO, have a very good understanding of parli-procedure

you know the rest.

For LD/PF:

keep spreading to a minimum (will say "clear" if needed)

keep the debate traditional

impact based debate

Tech over truth

2023-2024 Season

Howdy! I've been actively judging every year since I graduated in 2018, so this will be year 6 of judging for me.

PF/LD General:

- NO EMAIL CHAINS AT ALL. If you ask me to be on the email chain, this indicates you have not read my paradigms.

-If you are FLIGHT 2, I expect you to be ready the second you walk in the room. If you come in saying you need to pre-flow or take forever to get set up, I WILL doc your speaks to 27 max. Pre-flows, bathroom, coin-flips, and such should be done beforehand since you have ample time before your flight.

Prep time: I will usually use my timer on Tabroom when you take prep to make sure you're not lying about how much time you have left. When someone asks for cards, please be quick about this because if you start taking too much time or wasting time, I will run your prep.

-I will NOT disclose decisions unless I say I will. After round is done, do not just sit there and just stare at me. I will let you know if everything is going to be on the ballot or if I will be giving some general comments.

-Please be respectful in round and have fun!

PF: Second rebuttal must respond to first rebuttal and please no spreading. Moderate speed is fine, it's PF, not CX.

Treat me like I don't know anything about the topic, it's not rocket science.

LD: Old school traditional, I like framework debates. NO SPREADING AT ALL, moderate speed is good. I don't understand progressive debates like K's, shells, etc. Adapt or strike me.

Congress: If you author or sponsor, please EXPLAIN the bill and set a good foundation. For later speeches, I don't want to hear the same argument in different fancy words. Be unique and CLASH is NOT OPTIONAL throughout cycles.

PO's: If there is no one who can PO and you know how to, please step up. I used to PO so don't worry. If there's no one who can PO, don't be afraid to step up and try, I'll take that into consideration when I do ballots.

Remember this is DEBATE, not repetition. I don’t wanna hear the same thing for 5-6 speeches straight.

I am a parent judge. PLEASE SPEAK SLOWLY, if you don't I will not understand your arguments. I like and prefer traditional debate.