Anyone Compete on HS or College Debate Team?

[M.D. Holloway]

We didn't have one in my HS and I never thought about it in college but in retrospect it seems like it would have been an interesting thing to do. Anyone have experience with HS or College debate competitions?

[Aggie93]

I did one year in high school, freshman or sophomore. I cannot remember why I didn't stay in it. My guess was to get a job. Looking back, I wish I had kept with it. But that is the case with a lot of high school and college activities.

It builds a lot of useful skills: public speaking, structuring arguments, researching, quick thinking.

I've talked to my daughters about and the oldest has zero interest. The second thinks it might be interesting. It does have a reputation for being for the uncool kids.

Anything specific you are looking for? Not sure I know or remember enough, but I'll try.

[Nostril Cheese]

Did it in high school.

[recycled sixtie]

M.D. I did Toastmasters for years. My daughter never took up debating in H.S. but is now having to do presentations in her Phd program. I presume that you are asking about this for your son? Very hard to get them motivated in this area at a young age.

[72doug2,2S]

Jr. and Sr. year in high school. We called it forensics. We had debate, drama, comedy readings. Traveled all over Colorado to make events, some overnights too. I always had a good time.

[Rot 911]

Yep, did in high school.

[RWebb]

BTDT, also from 6th grade to HS: football, choir & Drama Club - the easy chicks were in drama & I highly recommend that to any young man

[M.D. Holloway]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

M.D. I did Toastmasters for years. My daughter never took up debating in H.S. but is now having to do presentations in her Phd program. I presume that you are asking about this for your son? Very hard to get them motivated in this area at a young age.

Actually just the opposite - he wants to join the debate team. I know nothing of it.

[Flieger]

Does he want an argument or just contradiction and abuse? For the latter I recommend PARF. Much easier.

[RWebb]

Your son should take Drama Club. NEVER let a daughter any where near Drama Club.

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by RWebb

Your son should take Drama Club. NEVER let a daughter any where near Drama Club.

In college it seems ag business is where it's at.

[70SATMan]

We held debates in Civics but, my HS was too small to warrant a "team" or "club". Didn't in college.

We did have a rifle team though.

[Embraer]

one of my tenants used to be the president of the Cornell debate team. One of the smartest dude's I've ever met.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by M.D. Holloway

Actually just the opposite - he wants to join the debate team. I know nothing of it.

It's a lot easier than golf.

[M.D. Holloway]

Yup! He didn't make the cut. Coach took lowest 8, they all shot under 80, he barely broke 100. Thought he would be tore up but he was'nt, says he will try out again next year. In the mean time he has his sights set again on archery for the winter and spring. They have an acrchery club as well as the shooting club.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by RWebb

Your son should take Drama Club. NEVER let a daughter any where near Drama Club.

You are so right - there are enough drama queens in the world already.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by M.D. Holloway

Yup! He didn't make the cut.

Hey man, sorry to hear that. I didn't know, if I did I wouldn't have posted what I did.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by M.D. Holloway

Yup! He didn't make the cut. Coach took lowest 8, they all shot under 80, he barely broke 100. Thought he would be tore up but he was'nt, says he will try out again next year. In the mean time he has his sights set again on archery for the winter and spring. They have an acrchery club as well as the shooting club.

You son sounds like he has tenacity. That is a whole lot better that playing x box as our neighbor boy does all day....

[Flat Six]

Competed 4 years in college, coached HS debate 4 years, coached collegiate debate 4 years. Nationally competitive teams; traveled mostly western US.

Still have a number of friends (coaches) in the activity, including one I've known for 30 years and play golf with nearly every weekend.

If you want, PM me if you have any questions or concerns, I'm happy to give you my perspective as both participant and instructor, and how I think it's affected me since.

[M.D. Holloway]

Originally Posted by McLovin

Hey man, sorry to hear that. I didn't know, if I did I wouldn't have posted what I did.

Actually it was the best thing that happened all summer as strange as may sound. We have a 'thing' between us and it is built around hardarse attempts at all things hard and failure. He is a fighter. Stronger than I will ever be.