The Arkansas State University debate team was recently invited to the highly competitive Point Loma Nazarene debate tournament for the 2003-‘04 debate season, making them one of only 20 debate teams selected out of some 1,000-plus teams across the nation.  

This tournament, which will be held in February at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, Calif., is considered an honor among the debate and academic community. 

This honor came as a result of the team’s success this year from competitions and tournaments, ranking them as one of the top 26 teams in the nation. This year ASU students Chris Helms and Brett Atkinson ranked 8^th among all debate partnerships in the United States.  Two other ASU students, Ian Van Hoose and Brendan O’Grady, were ranked 18^th.  

ASU’s Director of Debate, Chris Harper said, “I’m very proud of our team, they have clearly dominated every tournament we have attended this year.  We have such a quality group of students who work very hard.  When you couple that with the wonderful support we receive from our department and administration, it ends up being a winning combination.”

This year, ASU’s debate team has enjoyed victories over Notre Dame, Miami University, Belmont University, Western Kentucky, University of Arkansas and other schools.  

Beyond defeating individual universities, ASU’s debate team has won three First Place Debate Sweepstakes. This is the overall achievement award for the best performing squad at the tournaments.

In addition to the San Diego tournament in February, the debate team has plans to attend the International Forensics Association 14^th Annual Tournament in Madrid, Spain, in March. The cost per student is $1,329. For those who are interested in financially supporting the team, please call Dana Stroud in the ASU Development Office, 870-972-3940.