On behalf of the International Public Debate Association, we invite you to participate in the inaugural IPDA Online Debate Tournament held on January 21, 2012.  This tournament will feature a program versus program format using a computer mediated modality.  A program may choose different students for each round if they choose.  The debate will offer four preliminary rounds of IPDA-style competition.  Entry fees are being covered by the IPDA and entries will be limited to the first 16 programs to enter; the tournament will break to semi-finals.

The 2012 tournament offering is considered an exhibition only and will not affect IPDA standings nor will it count towards eligibility requirements for the Novice Division (the Executive Committee has agreed to consider this an exhibition not counting as a “tournament” for eligibility purposes).  Eligibility requirements will follow the standard for the Varsity division competition.  Please note that we are hoping to not only validate the concept of an annual Skype Debate but be able to record and archive the highest level of competitive rounds as training tools for new programs and debaters.

Entries may be made beginning at 10:00 a.m. CST on Monday, January 9, 2012.  All entries must be received via email to [email protected] no later than Friday, January 13, 2012, at 5:00 p.m. CST.  Again, this field is limited to the 16 programs on a “first come, first served” basis.

The complete invitation can be found on the "schedule and invitations" page.

The results for the 2011 National Tournament have been posted.

The results for the UCA and PKD tournaments have been uploaded and the season-long tracking spreadsheet updated on the current season results page.  Please double check the points for your competitors and if you find any mistakes, email [email protected] ASAP.

As we approach the national tournament and convention, we need to begin gathering nominations for Governing Board members as well as candidate statements.  My records indicate that the two seats that will be coming up for election/appointment this year are the seats currently held by Jim Evans (replaced Bob Alexander whose term began at Nationals 2008) and Chas Womelsdorf (replaced Trey Gibson whose term began at Nationals 2008).   

We have added a form for Governing Board Nominations on the "Nationals 2011" tab above.  If you would like to be added to the ballot, or have someone that you would like to nominate - please submit this form.  Since the entry deadline for the national tournament & convention is Friday, April 1st - we will use that date as the deadline for nominations as well, so that we will have time to publish the candidate statements and allow everyone time to consider their options before voting during registration at the national tournament & convention.

The invitation for the 2011 National Tournament and Convention has been added (see the "Nationals 2011" tab above for this information as well as updates through the conclusion of the tournament).