2nd Year as Assistant Coach and Beginning the Season with some Change
September 10, 2011
We are preparing for the Brad Smith Tournament at the University of Rochester (Oct 1-2nd) and it has been a breath of fresh air. I am told to remember that whatever I do not like in a tournament or a team can be influenced if I get the necessary degrees and head coach job. I still remember that but the tournament we are hosting at the U of R is a nice little test.
Last year I was loathed to write my own motions for practice. It seemed an art I could not grasp but this year I already have a list of motions I want to run by the DCA’s closer to the date of the tournament and it has been an easy list for me to create. For all of you running your own student-led debate programs – it can be a comfort question and while students on your team may complain that you do not have enough forethought on the matter, please keep in mind that muscles need training. I’m still checking in with my trainer here and there.
The luncheon we are hosting will be as close to a copy of the Hart House Debate Tournament “Women in Debate” Luncheon that I attended several years ago. I’m excited that the UR is probably sending students across the border to this year’s Hart House tournament and am eager to re-examine the luncheon. How we talk about these matters is sometimes more important than the actual affirmative action or lack thereof policies debate squads have. But the discussion needs to be broached sensitively to provide an edifying, productive environment. A DCA I respect greatly has agreed to facilitate our luncheon at the UR. While Hart House is great, I also want to hear students’ and coaches’ opinions on the inclusion/exclusion of other identities currently under-represented in our community. I do not know what this luncheon will look like for our region but I certainly hope it can enrich our programs and activity.
With some initial guidance from my old coach I have begun to cut cards for our Policy half of URDU. We shall see what good (if any) comes of that.
