Drury’s Debate Union, once nationally known, is back on track to becoming a powerhouse. The group only officially restarted last fall and are already ranked first nationally. The team is both surprised and excited by the quick success.

Quick guide to debate

The International Public Debate Association (IPDA) is the only debate organization that Drury competes in. According to their website, the IPDA is one of the fastest growing competitive debate organizations. Competitors can compete individually or in a team format that incorporates one partner.

The format of debate in IPDA focuses on “improving students’ advocacy skills in a forum that promotes appropriate and effective communication,” according to Austin Cassidy, president of the Drury Debate Union. The debate begins with a resolution, which is a topic to debate. There are no specific topics that are covered, there is a large variety of potential subjects.

“The topics can range from American colonization in the Philippines to All-Star sports games. It is easily the most well-rounded form of debate I have ever encountered,” freshman Drury Debate Union Secretary Lindsay Duede said.

Debaters are then given twenty minutes to prepare an argument for either the negative or affirmative side. In individual debates, the event lasts about thirty minutes, whereas for teams it lasts around an hour. In addition, topics change with every round, so debaters must be constantly prepared to debate any topic.

Life of a traveling team

For a debate team, travel is a necessity to keep up with the tournaments that happen around the region. The Drury Debate Union has competed in locations that include Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.

The Drury Debate Union has traveled to many regional tournaments in locations that include Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma. Some of the major wins of the team include three teams in quarterfinals and an individual in semifinals at University of Arkansas at Monticello; four teams in quarterfinals, a semifinalist and finalist team, and the top four speakers at Louisiana State University; and four quarterfinalists, a semifinalist, and the third and fourth place speakers at John Brown University. At these tournaments, there are typically 75-200 competitors, so to place in the top is the mark of a highly competitive team.

Dealing with success

A member of the Drury Debate Union, Ameran Link, bragged of her team, “We are slaying and I am so proud of our team, but winning has less to do with our main accomplishments than you would think. We are a team filled with radically different personalities and opinions partaking in a sport of arguing. It wasn’t always pretty. However, I am so pleased to say that we are a cohesive team now and constantly getting better.”

As the team continues to do well, they have shifted their focus to the nationals competition.

“Right now, our main focus is to just get a bunch of experience before Nationals,” Duede said.

She continued by saying that the team is very competitive and wants to continue their successful pattern throughout the different events.

Nationals is a new experience for the team who has never competed at such a highly renowned competition before. Link said, “For a first year team it is leaving a lot of unknown ground, honestly. We haven’t hit all the competitors

or regions that will be present at nationals. Nationals will be a tournament like any other, but longer and with higher stakes.”

The team agrees that no matter what happens after nationals, they are happy to have gained the experience.

Teammates as family cliche

“This is our first year as a competitive program and the fact that we are nationally ranked is just a beautiful coincidence that sprung from a talented group going out and doing what we love,” Duede said. “This year was all about experience and it continues to be about just that.”

Regardless of how the team places at nationals, growing the program at Drury has been incredibly beneficial for the school. Not only does the team attract potential students and donors, it shines a positive light on the university on a national scale. As time passes, the team predicts that the group will only grow and become better.

“My only hope, as far as growth goes, is that we continue to attract the types of folks we have involved right now. This team is [full] of intelligent, compassionate and hilarious individuals. So long as we have a loving and healthy team, I am beyond excited to see who walks through the doors for the next few years. Good morale is so important for the success of a team,” Duede said.

The group has many people to thank for their success this year. First, the group is appreciative of their sponsors who make it possible for them to travel such distances for their competitions. Without financial support, it is almost impossible for a debate team to sustain themselves. Second, the Drury Debate Union thanks their coach, Dr. Deberry. A former Drury debater, Dr. Deberry has been vital in the reestablishment and growth of the organization. Leading the Debate Union, Dr. Deberry has created a sort of family within the group. The debaters feel that they are growing not only professionally, but personally.

“If you ask anyone on the team what the Drury Debate Union is like, a lot of them will tell you it’s like a family,” Cassidy said.  “Throughout the year, we have had our shining moments and our individual low points, however, we always work through the challenges that are brought before us. We are more than a team, we are friends working to achieve what many universities would consider a pipe dream.”

If students are interested in becoming involved with the Drury Debate Union, contact Dr. DeBerry or a member of the team for more information.