The SCSU Speech and Debate/ Forensics team started competition for the school year on Oct. 9 and 10 at the Jackrabbit Jousts Speech and Debate Invitational at South Dakota State University.
At the competition, the group received the Widvey Team Quality Award.
Team quality awards are determined by dividing team points by the amount of entries for comprehensive programs.
Team Co-Director Scott Wells, a communication studies professor, said that the team hopes to continue the run they had last year, taking 14th place among 63 teams nationally.
The forensic team is coached by Wells and Eric Short, a communication studies professor, and two other volunteer coaches, Jocelyn Walsh and Andrea Lovoll.
Wells said as coaches it’s their job to help facilitate, but the students take on all other responsibilities.
The team consists of 25 members, nine returning, that compete in competitions October through April, making it the longest season for any intercollegiate activity.
The SCSU Forensics team also dates back to the late 1920s making it one of the oldest student organizations on campus.
Wells said the term forensic came from the teachings of Aristotle, who used the word to describe a legal, persuasive type of speech.
Typically seven to nine students compete in each competition in events in the fields of public address, interpretation, limited preparation and debate.
Students are able to pick and choose which tournaments they want to compete in, but they are asked to be fully prepared for the competition.
The tournaments usually include 12 to 15 teams from across the upper Midwest area.
Thomas Opatz, the forensic team president said that he helps with peer coaching and hopes that every member leaves the team meetings with a positive attitude and looking forward to the next.
Opatz is also in charge of recruitment, updates at squad meetings and planning meets and tournaments.
Set meetings for the forensic team are Wednesdays at 8 p.m. in room 205 of Riverview, along with two practices, one with a coach and the other with a peer.
Wells said that the program is growing thanks to word of mouth, flyers, Web site and their facebook page.
Wells added that the forensic team is open to all students of any major and that their members are students that are driven and motivated.
The team has its next tournament on Tuesday.
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