Falcon Forensics and Debate Team talks its way to the top

The BGSU Falcon Forensics and Debate Team recently placed third in the nation and earned the national title in International Public Debate Association (IPDA) Debate at the 2017 Novice National Championships held on the campus of Western Florida University in Pensacola.

In addition to the IPDA Debate national speaker title won by Adam Wilson, team members earned a total of nine final-round honors in individual speaking and performance events. Jewel White placed among the top six speakers overall in the Pentathlon Competition for speaking and performance events. White also nabbed second place in Impromptu Speaking and Impromptu Sales Speaking.  Cole Stirz placed third in two categories, Dramatic Interpretation and Public Narrative.

BGSU faced tough competition from the University of Alabama, Carson-Newman University, Texas A&M, the University of Florida, IUPUI, Butler University and 24 other peer schools, said Paul Wesley Alday, Forensics and Debate director.

Additionally, BGSU received the high honor of having its bid accepted to host the 2019 National Championship Tournament on campus, Alday said. This will mark the first time since 1959 that the University has hosted a national speech and debate competition, and will coincide with the 100th anniversary of its Forensics and Debate Team. To be held during BGSU’s spring break, the event will attract between 30-40 colleges and universities from around the nation and infuse the local economy with roughly $2 million in related revenue.