NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt University’s debate team had a record season this year competing in 15 tournaments and more than 300 debate rounds, and winning more than 60 awards.
The team ended the season by competing in the Cross Examination Debate Association’s (CEDA) 2006 National Championship Tournament March 31-April 5 in Dallas. Team members senior Katie Ryzoc and junior Phil Rappmund cleared to the final tournament bracket at the national championship – the equivalent of a college basketball team being invited to the NCAA tournament. Ryzoc was chosen for the CEDA’s National All-American Debate Squad.
Debate team coach and the university’s Director of Debate M.L. Sandoz also received the CEDA’s 2006 Galentine Award. The award is given to an outstanding female debate coach and is one of the two most prestigious national awards recognizing contributions to national education, community and competitive success.
Sandoz says several factors contributed to the teams’ success this year – including the university’s support, the debaters’ teamwork and adding more coaches which allows for individual attention to team members.
“We had great support from the College of Arts and Science and the Department of Communications Studies. Dean Richard McCarty and associate deans Russell McIntire and George Sweeney have all been wonderful in helping the squad get the resources we need to compete nationally, Sandoz said.
“The squad really pulled together and it has been an amazing effort on everyone’s part.”
Sandoz is a senior lecturer in the Department of Communications Studies and previously served as president of CEDA.
During spring break, Vanderbilt juniors Courtney Gould and Russell Ross beat more than 80 debate teams from colleges and universities across the country to win the Cross Examination Debate Association’s (CEDA) 2006 Novice National Debate Tournament at West Virginia University.
Gould’s and Ross’ win is the first national debate championship for Vanderbilt since the 1980s.
At the novice national tournament, Gould was also presented with the fifth place Speaker Award and Ross ranked 17th in the same category. Sandoz also received the 2006 John A. Jacobsohn Memorial Award for career contributions to education through debate.
In intercollegiate debate, one resolution is chosen for the year. This year students from across the country debated whether the United States should pressure China on economic, trade and diplomatic issues. During the year, the students have to approach the topic from several perspectives – both for and against the proposed resolution.
Vanderbilt’s debate team consists of two-person teams – each duo works together on their arguments. The two varsity debate teams are Katie Ryzoc and Phil Rappmund and Susan Mader and Matt Earnest. Additionally, more than 30 students have been participating in debate this year across all three divisions: Varsity, Junior Varsity and Novice.
The novice team also won the Northeast Tournament and the Southeastern Conference regional competition, where Gould placed first and Ross placed second for Speaker Awards. Also at the regional competition, Vanderbilt students won Debater of the Year in all three divisions – Katie Ryzoc won the Varsity division, Bri Primozic won the Junior Varsity division and Katie Palmer won the Novice division. Vanderbilt debate coach Bryan Grayson, also won SEC Coach of the Year at the regional competition.
Media Contact: Princine Lewis, 615-322-NEWS
princine.l.lewis@vanderbilt.edu