Volunteers Wanted for 2nd Annual Doug Tschetter Debate Tourney

Do you love a good argument? Enjoy hearing both sides of contemporary political topics? Want to help high school students from Milbank and across our state? Why not unleash your inner judge at the Second Annual Doug Tschetter Novice Debate Championship on January 6 at MHS. No experience in debate or judging? No worries! Kathy Tyler, head coach of the MHS debate team says, “This debate format is called Public Forum. It’s designed to be judged by lay people—people who know nothing about debate.”

The Public forum topic is Resolved: The United States Federal Government should forgive all federal student loan debt. The Lincoln-Douglas debate topic is Resolved: National service in the United States ought to be mandatory. Other than the topic, the main difference between the two is Lincoln-Douglas is a one-on-one debate between two teams, Public Forum is two-on-two.

“This tournament gives novice debaters a chance to show their stuff, provides a venue for a debaters’ reunion, and honors the memory of former Milbank debate coach Doug Tschetter,” explained Tyler.

If you’re new to the area, you might not remember Doug Tschetter. Mr. Tschetter, who passed away in 2019, was one of the top debate coaches in the country and just the seventh person in the history of the nation to achieve his seventh coaching diamond. He taught and coached in Milbank from 1978-2014, and during that time he was named the South Dakota Debate Coach of the Year in 1991, 1998, 2003, and 2014.

Tyler says, “I’m sure if you ask around, you will find someone, somewhere whose life he changed through his coaching—my daughters are two examples.”

The event starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning (Jan 6) and features five rounds that last about 45 minutes apiece. Tyler says, “You can judge one round, two rounds, or all day. (I’d really like that!) Super training is provided, as well as food and coffee. Also, you aren’t alone in this – there are three judges in each room— so you will get a chance to visit with some amazing people, as will they!”

According to Tyler, debaters from across the eastern half of the state will attend, although schools from west of the river are welcome. Regardless of which school they attend, these young debaters are so appreciative of the chance to participate in a championship level tournament and experience the possibility of winning a trophy.

To volunteer to be a judge, email Coach Tyler at: kathy.tyler@k12.sd.us