Date:
4/4/2003
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
PORTALES –The Eastern New Mexico University debaters have returned to campus as national champions, having won first place at the Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament at Morgan State University.
"A total team effort by ENMU debaters put us on top," according to John Foy, graduate assistant coach. Mick Souders and Lawrence Williams defeated Ithaca College in the final debate. Close behind was the team of Darrick Matthews and Sam Strain with only one loss in elimination rounds. Approximately 70 colleges and universities participated in the national tournament.
Dr. Anthony Schroeder, professor of communication and director of the program, said that Pi Kappa Delta is an academic honorary fraternity for students involved in competitive speech. All participants must be members of the fraternity.
"I am pleased with our debaters' level of competitiveness on the national circuit. This speaks well of our work ethic and the quality of coaching. John Hansen and John Foy are doing an outstanding job. This is a real pleasure for me to see ENMU debaters win the national championship for a second time," said Dr. Schroeder.
In 1997 Scott Fuqua and Matthew Barreto won the PKD national championship and then went on to be quarterfinalists in the National Debate Tournament.
"It was great to pick up a prestigious national championship like this the week before we attend the National Debate Tournament," said coach John Foy. "It really bodes well for our chances next weekend and shows that we're peaking at the right time."
National qualifiers will attend the NDT at Emory University this week.