LOS ANGELES, April 22, 2009 –Loyola Marymount University’s debate team earned a perfect score in every round and defeated every team at the Hobart and William Smith College Round Robin Tournament, the first time in the tournament’s history that has been achieved.
“It is remarkable among this company of the most prestigious international teams to earn a perfect score,” said Barbara Busse, dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts. The invitation only tournament consisted of the top 16 debate teams in the world and included students from England’s University of Cambridge and University of Oxford, and the United States’ Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University, among others.
“When you are debating against high-caliber schools, then you know you have to step up your game a notch because any weakness in your argument will be exposed,” said Kevin Kiley, the fourth-place overall speaker in the Hobart and William Smith College tournament.
“LMU has one of the top debate teams in the world and continues to reaffirm its place among the best with each competition,” said Philip Wander, professor of communication studies and debate judge. “LMU debaters are thoughtful, alert and well informed on important issues.”
Six teams from LMU also attended the U.S. National Debating Championships last weekend in Vermont where 120 teams competed. One LMU team tied for second place overall, losing to Harvard in the final round. Three LMU teams placed in the top 20.
“Every student we sent to both competitions had a positive or winning record,” said Jay Busse, director of debate team. “LMU has never had more teams advance to the final rounds.”
These two competitions featured British Parliamentary debate which focuses on impromptu communication skills. Once topics are announced, speakers from each team have 15 minutes to prepare their arguments; topics included making teachers’ pay dependent on student achievement and punishing North Korea for weapons testing.