< Back | Home

top dog - Amy Foster, a sophomore majoring in communications studies, won this stunning velvet painting of a Rottweiler at the KCKCC tournament.

Debate team continues reign

By: Jennifer Bhargava

Posted: 10/11/04

For the past 17 years, the UMKC debate team has ranked as one of the top 10 in the nation. As the seven current squad members break into the new season, it looks like the 2004-2005 school year will be no exception.

The team's triumphs on the road this summer held high the standard set by UMKC debaters that came before them. On Sept. 20, UMKC participants sophomore Amy Foster and freshman Dylan Sutton finished in third place at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) season opener. Forty-eight teams from 17 colleges and universities competed in the tournament. Foster was awarded as overall second place speaker.

On Oct. 4, UMKC had two teams competing at the Kansas City Kansas Community College Tournament. Sophomore Austin Case and junior Andy Culp came out top seed, meaning they were undefeated. Foster and sophomore Gretchen Rix came out second seed, after six rounds. While all four debaters finished in the top 10, Foster was awarded as top speaker of the event.

"I got a three-by-four foot velvet painting of a Rottweiler as part of my top speaker award," said Foster. "The painting was [originally] a compensation prize for someone who poorly gambled away $500 in a shady place behind a gas station."

Foster donated the painting to the debate team, and it will hang on the wall of their new squad room. The painting has also been used for other purposes as well.

"It's pretty funny in general," said Foster. "Stan, one of our coaches, decided to place it in front of a team we debated to intimidate them."

Although Foster and the rest of the team make winning look easy, a lot of hard work and dedication go into their success.

Linda Collier, director of debate, estimates that each squad member invests between 30 to 50 hours per week on debate, in addition to traveling and competitions.

"It is essentially a never-ending process of training and working with the coaches," said Collier.

The squad members start preparing for the season in July, by working on their research assignments and training with the coaching staff. In August, one week before classes begin, the squad members attend a mini-camp, where they spend at least 60 hours, over five to six days, in work sessions. During the school year, the team travels most weekends and has meetings every Wednesday.

"Traveling is nice because you get to go places that you would never go or be able to afford otherwise, Malibu and Las Vegas included," said Foster. "[But] it can be stressful to debate every weekend because I still have to keep up with class and my job."

Freshman Dylan Sutton believes that the lengthy amount of time the group spends together is beneficial to strengthening their bond.

"We drive for hours, if not days, on end together, sleep in the same hotel rooms, and work together in the squad room during the week," said Sutton, who teamed with Foster in the UNI season opener. "You just can't put that many odd people close together for that long and not get something fun [out of it]."

Many current squad members are unfazed by the hard work; they have held a passion for debating since high school.

Sutton, who started his debating career over four years ago, was drawn to the activity because it is intellectually stimulating and focuses on topics that are socially significant.

"[Debating] seemed a uniquely appropriate place to test ideas and really open up critical thought, because it has little to no restriction on the type of argument that can be put forward and we are shielded from the need to appeal to people with heavy bias, like election candidates are," said Sutton. "We have the advantage, usually, of having a judge who is willing to listen objectively to the merits behind arguments, allowing an atmosphere of academic innovation."

Family support is also a significant factor that helps squad members cope with the heavy workload.

Foster, who also began her debating career over four years ago, admits that her mother played a significant role in her decision to continue with the activity.

"The only reason I'm still in debate is that my mom volunteered her time to travel with me and judge at tournaments both in and out of state," said Foster.

Besides competing in tournaments and training, several squad members mentor urban high school students, a decision that is encouraged but not mandatory.

"They help the high school students with their research assignments and listen to their debates," said Collier.

The squad members have high goals for the future, goals which they believe their debating experience will help them accomplish.

"After college I plan to go to law school, become a lawyer and support a family, maybe help out a debate program somewhere," said Sutton. "Success in those things would make my life very satisfying."

The debate team heads to Malibu, Calif. for a tournament at Pepperdine University from Oct. 15-18.

On Oct. 25 they compete with debate teams from the University of Kansas. The debate, sponsored by UMKC Retirees' Association, will focus on energy and environmental policies. It will be held at 7:30 p.m. in Pierson Auditorium. For ticket call the Central Ticket Office at 235-6222.

jbhargava@unews.com