2022 Bennett Strange Coach of the Year Nominees
Below are Coaches that have been nominated for the award for 2021/2022:
Cheryl Chambers (Mississippi State University) - Nominated by Hannah Morris (University of Arkansas)
I have thought long and hard about who I believe deserves the honor of being awarded the Bennett Strange Coach of the Year award. While there are so many individuals who put their time, their efforts and their heart into their programs, I believe there are two individuals who stand out amongst the rest. Either of these two coaches would truly exemplify this award. That said, I’d like to nominate both Megan Smith of Louisiana Tech University and Cheryl Chambers from Mississippi State University. Cheryl is a fantastic representation of what this activity can create. Cheryl is actively involved in SFCT, in as many tournaments as possible, and is someone who always has a listening ear for problems. She gives wonderful advice, leads an extremely strong team each year, and truly portrays an excellent leader, friend and coach.
AJ Edwards (LSU-Shreveport) - Nominated by Sheila Ritchie (Abilene Christian University)
Each year, I am hard-pressed to come up with just one nomination for the Bennett Strange Coach of the Year award. I look around and I am surrounded by outstanding coaches. Some have small teams and some large, some are at their peak, and some are rebuilding. While it is easy to look at team success and see it as the measure of a great coach, we all know that is not completely true. We work with the students we are given and try to bring out the absolute best in them. Sometimes that “best” is not measured in “wins” but in seeing the growth of fantastic people who never stop trying. And sometimes the measure of a great coach is watching them take the time to sit with one of your students and offer wisdom, comfort, and encouragement when they didn’t have to.
Last year, after winning this award, I had a dear friend and colleague tell me more about who Bennett Strange was. He told me about how he coached in a way that made better people, not just better debaters. He described him as someone who “reached across borders” to correct, guide, and care for those on other teams and had a passion for the IPDA organization and seeing it live into all its potential. He was a coach and a person who left a legacy that I am proud to follow.
Some of these traits and characteristics describe many of my dear colleagues but for two of my fellow coaches, this is them! The reach, the passion, the heart of service, and the love for the IPDA organization. So, this year, I am proud to be nominating both AJ Edwards and Preston Langley for the Bennett Strange Coach of the Year Award because in multiple ways, that many people on this debate circuit have witnessed, they exemplify the legacy that Bennett left.
At the end of his story, my colleague summed up his description of Bennett by saying he was a coach who “trained ethical advocates that would impact the activity and the world around them for the long term, would selflessly aid students from other teams, and would lead the organization toward an end of inclusivity and benefit of all”. If this doesn’t describe both Preston and AJ, I don’t know what does.
Preston Langley (Bossier Parish Community College) - Nominated by Sheila Ritchie (Abilene Christian University)
Each year, I am hard-pressed to come up with just one nomination for the Bennett Strange Coach of the Year award. I look around and I am surrounded by outstanding coaches. Some have small teams and some large, some are at their peak, and some are rebuilding. While it is easy to look at team success and see it as the measure of a great coach, we all know that is not completely true. We work with the students we are given and try to bring out the absolute best in them. Sometimes that “best” is not measured in “wins” but in seeing the growth of fantastic people who never stop trying. And sometimes the measure of a great coach is watching them take the time to sit with one of your students and offer wisdom, comfort, and encouragement when they didn’t have to.
Last year, after winning this award, I had a dear friend and colleague tell me more about who Bennett Strange was. He told me about how he coached in a way that made better people, not just better debaters. He described him as someone who “reached across borders” to correct, guide, and care for those on other teams and had a passion for the IPDA organization and seeing it live into all its potential. He was a coach and a person who left a legacy that I am proud to follow.
Some of these traits and characteristics describe many of my dear colleagues but for two of my fellow coaches, this is them! The reach, the passion, the heart of service, and the love for the IPDA organization. So, this year, I am proud to be nominating both AJ Edwards and Preston Langley for the Bennett Strange Coach of the Year Award because in multiple ways, that many people on this debate circuit have witnessed, they exemplify the legacy that Bennett left.
Megan Smith (Louisiana Tech University) - Nominated by Hannah Morris (University of Arkansas)
I have thought long and hard about who I believe deserves the honor of being awarded the Bennett Strange Coach of the Year award. While there are so many individuals who put their time, their efforts and their heart into their programs, I believe there are two individuals who stand out amongst the rest. Either of these two coaches would truly exemplify this award. That said, I’d like to nominate both Megan Smith of Louisiana Tech University and Cheryl Chambers from Mississippi State University. Cheryl is a fantastic representation of what this activity can create. Megan has been a contributing member and coach on this circuit for quite some time, and her skill always exceeds expectations. She is supportive of all, helpful whenever asked and, most often, when not asked. Megan cares not only for her students, but also for this activity, and it shows it everything she sets out to do. Megan greatly deserves recognition for everything she contributes.
Ben Voth (Southern Methodist University) - Nominated by Grayson Goebel (Dallas Baptist University)
As I reflect over the course of this season, I am blown away by the level of love, kindness, and sincerity that Dr. Ben Voth exudes wherever he goes. At the beginning of this past year, my school knew that we wanted to start a collegiate debate team, but had no idea how to realistically go about doing so - that is, until we had the pleasure of
meeting Dr. Voth. As a seasoned member of the IPDA community, he went above and beyond his call as Southern Methodist University’s coach and made himself constantly available; adopting our fledgeling program and taking his own time and effort to place us under his wing and help us grow. Out of his kind heart and genuine love for debate, he opened his team’s weekly meetings to us, offered wise advice, invited our team to cross-university practice scrimmages, and willingly shared his years of experience and countless connections with our program. I can confidently say that without Dr. Voth’s voluntary kindness and self-sacrificing love, my team might have never managed to get on its feet.
Furthermore, as I got to know Dr. Voth on a deeper level, it became apparent that his caring nature extended not just to us, but to everyone around him. I have personally witnessed him share his love for debate with international students, high school students, and the collegiate debaters on his own team - leading them and Southern Methodist University as a whole to overwhelming success. Dr. Voth is a respected instructor and formidable rhetorian. Anyone who has met him knows that he will always go out of his way to make those around him feel comfortable and welcomed, greeting everyone with a warm smile. In that spirit, it is my distinct pleasure and great honor to nominate Dr. Ben Voth for the Bennett Strange Coach of the Year Award.
Rebekah Whitaker (Union University) - Nominated by A.J. Edwards (LSU-Shreveport)
It is with the utmost respect and admiration that I nominate Rebekah Whitaker for the Bennett Strange Coach of the Year Award. Rebekah not only had the unenviable task of following in the footsteps of a legendary coach but has taken a highly successful and respected program and made it even more so. Rebekah is consistently a tireless advocate for her students. Additionally, Rebekah gives the same amount of care and compassion to the students on other teams. Her willingness to help other students and coaches exemplifies the essence of this award. If Rebekah was only successful at these things, then that would be enough. However, she has maintained, built, and continued the success of one of the most winning programs in the IPDA. Year in and year out Union University not only contends for top honors as a program but has students that win top national rankings as well. Simply put IPDA is better with Rebekah as a part of it.
2022 IPDA Governing Board Nominees
Below are Coaches that have been nominated for the Governing Board:
Abbey Barnes (University of Southern Mississippi) - Nominated by A.J. Edwards (LSU-Shreveport)
It is with distinct pleasure that I nominate Abbey Barnes for the Governing Board of the International Public Debate Association. Abbi has been a part of the IPDA first as an undergraduate student at MTSU and then as a Graduate Assistant and Assistant Coach at the University of Southern Mississippi. Abbey has continuously shown the highest ethical standards for herself and her students. Additionally, she has been a tireless advocate for inclusion within the IPDA community. Abbey would make a wonderful Governing Board member that is not afraid to fight to protect the values of the organization.
Abbey Barnes (University of Southern Mississippi) - Nominated by Megan Smith (Louisiana Tech University)
I second the nomination of Abbey Barnes for the Governing Board. She has been instrumental in the growth and performance of her University of Southern Mississippi University debaters, but her support of the IPDA community goes beyond her assistant debate coach position. She consistently runs tab at tournaments. She has relationships across the IPDA community and is never too far away to lend a hand in prepping other teams. I will echo the sentiments expressed in AJ Edward's nomination that she continuously illustrates the highest ethical standards for herself and her students and has been a tireless advocate for inclusion within the IPDA community. The IPDA community would benefit by having her voice added to the Governing Board.
A.J. Edwards (LSU-Shreveport) - Nominated by Joe Ganakos (Lee College)
I am please to offer a nomination for A.J. Edwards to be reelected to the IPDA Governing Board. A.J. has been a thoughtful and professional Chair of the Governing Board during 2021/2022 and has demonstrated leadership for this organization as we continue to emerge from the pandemic. A.J.'s efforts as a coach at LSUS are beyond reproach, and I consider him a valued friend and colleague. Having worked closely with A.J. for several years, including on a chapter for the IPDA Textbook (2nd Ed.), I know A.J. to be committed to the continued growth of the IPDA, even as he remains respectful of our traditions and foundations as a debate organization. I believe A.J.'s reelection to the Governing Board would help provide stability and continuity as we approach the 2022/2023 competition season, and his experience with the organization to be of benefit to all.
Hannah Morris (University of Arkansas) - Nominated by Ashley Hale (Louisiana Tech University)
I would like to nominate Hannah Morris for the governing board for the upcoming year. I believe Hannah exemplifies the type of coach the IPDA governing board needs moving forward. She is someone who started as a student and moved into the position of a coach. Hannah started two successful teams from scratch within three years. She is a true supporter of the IPDA community. Hannah has created multiple teams from the ground up, and through hard work and perseverance, holds true to the ideals of IPDA and IPDA’s constitution. She proves it is possible to create an ethical program and one that is not a juggernaut in terms of numbers and is still successful. Too often, our programs and coaches are judged by the number of wins that are racked up by members of teams with unlimited resources, be it money or members of their teams. These two things can be misinterpreted; that if you have a large number of students and the students win, that means that you are a successful coach. Over the past 20 years, I have seen some changes in the organization. With the changes that society has been through within the past 2 decades, I feel it is imperative that we as an organization embrace the next generation of coaches to address these emerging issues within our activity. As a long term member of this organization, I am proud of IPDA and want nothing more than to see it be the best version of IPDA that it can be. We need people whose first interest is that of the students we serve, not the ideals we once thought we were bound to protect. When I think of somebody that deserves to be on the Governing Board, Hannah Morris is one of the standout names that comes to mind that is deserving of a place on that body. I am proud to put my support behind Hannah Morris. I am proud to put my reputation behind Hannah Morris and what she’s been able to do, and what she would be able to do as a member of the GB, and I will continue to place my support and stand by what I believe makes a good candidate for the Governing Board.
Mike Ingram (Whitworth University) - Nominated by Mark Porrovecchio (Oregon State University)
I’d like to nominate Michael T. Ingram to again serve on the IPDA Governing Board.
Rebecca Whitaker (Union University) - Nominated by Sheila Ritchie (Abilene Christian University)
The last three years I have had the distinct pleasure of watching Rebekah Whitaker lead the Union University debate team. She leads with grace, compassion, enthusiasm, and character – all things that make for an amazing team and successful debaters. Beyond that, however, she works to help other teams excel and grow to be better debaters. Whether it’s sending thank you notes after every tournament to show appreciation, sharing prep habits, or just cheering loudly for every winner, she is a “team player” in IPDA. She truly sees the value of this style of debate and works to add life to this vibrant organization. Her energy and enthusiasm, along with her knowledge and skill as a coach, would make her an excellent addition to the leadership of IPDA, and it is for this reason that I offer my whole-hearted nomination of Rebekah Whitaker for IPDA Governing Board.
Abbey Barnes (University of Southern Mississippi) - Nominated by A.J. Edwards (LSU-Shreveport)
It is with distinct pleasure that I nominate Abbey Barnes for the Governing Board of the International Public Debate Association. Abbi has been a part of the IPDA first as an undergraduate student at MTSU and then as a Graduate Assistant and Assistant Coach at the University of Southern Mississippi. Abbey has continuously shown the highest ethical standards for herself and her students. Additionally, she has been a tireless advocate for inclusion within the IPDA community. Abbey would make a wonderful Governing Board member that is not afraid to fight to protect the values of the organization.
Abbey Barnes (University of Southern Mississippi) - Nominated by Megan Smith (Louisiana Tech University)
I second the nomination of Abbey Barnes for the Governing Board. She has been instrumental in the growth and performance of her University of Southern Mississippi University debaters, but her support of the IPDA community goes beyond her assistant debate coach position. She consistently runs tab at tournaments. She has relationships across the IPDA community and is never too far away to lend a hand in prepping other teams. I will echo the sentiments expressed in AJ Edward's nomination that she continuously illustrates the highest ethical standards for herself and her students and has been a tireless advocate for inclusion within the IPDA community. The IPDA community would benefit by having her voice added to the Governing Board.
A.J. Edwards (LSU-Shreveport) - Nominated by Joe Ganakos (Lee College)
I am please to offer a nomination for A.J. Edwards to be reelected to the IPDA Governing Board. A.J. has been a thoughtful and professional Chair of the Governing Board during 2021/2022 and has demonstrated leadership for this organization as we continue to emerge from the pandemic. A.J.'s efforts as a coach at LSUS are beyond reproach, and I consider him a valued friend and colleague. Having worked closely with A.J. for several years, including on a chapter for the IPDA Textbook (2nd Ed.), I know A.J. to be committed to the continued growth of the IPDA, even as he remains respectful of our traditions and foundations as a debate organization. I believe A.J.'s reelection to the Governing Board would help provide stability and continuity as we approach the 2022/2023 competition season, and his experience with the organization to be of benefit to all.
Hannah Morris (University of Arkansas) - Nominated by Ashley Hale (Louisiana Tech University)
I would like to nominate Hannah Morris for the governing board for the upcoming year. I believe Hannah exemplifies the type of coach the IPDA governing board needs moving forward. She is someone who started as a student and moved into the position of a coach. Hannah started two successful teams from scratch within three years. She is a true supporter of the IPDA community. Hannah has created multiple teams from the ground up, and through hard work and perseverance, holds true to the ideals of IPDA and IPDA’s constitution. She proves it is possible to create an ethical program and one that is not a juggernaut in terms of numbers and is still successful. Too often, our programs and coaches are judged by the number of wins that are racked up by members of teams with unlimited resources, be it money or members of their teams. These two things can be misinterpreted; that if you have a large number of students and the students win, that means that you are a successful coach. Over the past 20 years, I have seen some changes in the organization. With the changes that society has been through within the past 2 decades, I feel it is imperative that we as an organization embrace the next generation of coaches to address these emerging issues within our activity. As a long term member of this organization, I am proud of IPDA and want nothing more than to see it be the best version of IPDA that it can be. We need people whose first interest is that of the students we serve, not the ideals we once thought we were bound to protect. When I think of somebody that deserves to be on the Governing Board, Hannah Morris is one of the standout names that comes to mind that is deserving of a place on that body. I am proud to put my support behind Hannah Morris. I am proud to put my reputation behind Hannah Morris and what she’s been able to do, and what she would be able to do as a member of the GB, and I will continue to place my support and stand by what I believe makes a good candidate for the Governing Board.
Mike Ingram (Whitworth University) - Nominated by Mark Porrovecchio (Oregon State University)
I’d like to nominate Michael T. Ingram to again serve on the IPDA Governing Board.
Rebecca Whitaker (Union University) - Nominated by Sheila Ritchie (Abilene Christian University)
The last three years I have had the distinct pleasure of watching Rebekah Whitaker lead the Union University debate team. She leads with grace, compassion, enthusiasm, and character – all things that make for an amazing team and successful debaters. Beyond that, however, she works to help other teams excel and grow to be better debaters. Whether it’s sending thank you notes after every tournament to show appreciation, sharing prep habits, or just cheering loudly for every winner, she is a “team player” in IPDA. She truly sees the value of this style of debate and works to add life to this vibrant organization. Her energy and enthusiasm, along with her knowledge and skill as a coach, would make her an excellent addition to the leadership of IPDA, and it is for this reason that I offer my whole-hearted nomination of Rebekah Whitaker for IPDA Governing Board.
