Sept 25, 2001

Truman Hosts “Show Me” Forensics Tournament

Truman will play host to students from more than 30 colleges and universities at the first “Show Me” Forensics Tournament Sept. 28-30. 
     The three-day event is what is commonly called a “swing” or “double-up” tournament, in which two separate tournaments are hosted on the same campus during the same weekend. Competitors will be able to enter one or both of two individual speaking events tournaments or a separate tournament in Lincoln-Douglas or Parliamentary Debate.
     The first half of the weekend, “The Buck Stops Here Invitational,” will be hosted by members of Truman’s chapter of Pi Kappa Delta, the national speech honorary fraternity. The second half of the swing, “The Truman Parent-Alumni Invitational,” will be co-hosted by parents, program alumni and current students of the forensics program.
     The breadth of the tournament and its early spot in the season’s calendar, according to Kevin Minch, assistant professor of communication and director of forensics, is contributing to the unexpectedly large size of the tournament. 
     “When we first began planning this event we figured we might get 20 schools,” Minch said. “Previous tournaments at Truman in the spring have brought anywhere from 12-15 schools. We have been astounded by the response.”
     As of Sept. 19, 34 different institutions had signaled their plan to attend and virtually every free hotel room in Kirksville has been booked for the event. Minch and Todd Holm, assistant director of forensics, estimate that between 300 and 500 students, coaches and adjudicators can be expected to descend on the Kirksville community during the event. States that will be represented at the tournament are Alabama, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Kentucky, Texas, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Indiana.
     The entire tournament is open to the public. People wishing to watch debates or individual speaking contests can report to the tournament headquarters table from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., Sept. 28, in the Student Union Building Georgian Room or from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., Sept. 29-30, in the Violette Hall foyer. For more information, contact Minch at 785.5677.