Idaho State University to host CEDA National Debate Tournament in March 2013

For the second time in four years, Idaho State University will host the Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) national tournament.

Slated for March 23-26, 2013, the event will bring more than 450 participants from universities such as USC, Cal Berkeley, Kansas, Wake Forest, and Harvard to Pocatello for the four-day national championship event.

According to Sarah Partlow-Lefevre, ISU's director of debate, it’s very unusual for the same university to host CEDA Nationals twice in so short a period. However, there is an explanation.

"Weber State is hosting the National Debate Tournament (NDT) the weekend after CEDA," Partlow-Lefevre said. "The proximity of Idaho State University will encourage additional schools to attend because they can travel to both national organizations' final competitions with a single airplane ticket for each attendee."

"Our ability to coordinate CEDA with the NDT at Weber," continued Partlow-Lefevre, "and the fact that CEDA officials were so impressed with our facilities and hospitality the last time we hosted in 2009, made it easy for them to return."

Financial support for the tournament is provided by the ISU Rupp Debate Team, the ISU Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies, and a large grant from the ISU College of Arts and Letters.

"The College of Arts and Letters has been investing in research and academic activities that enhance the College's productivity and visibility,” said Kandi Turley-Ames, arts and letters dean. "The College is very pleased to host this national event again."  

"It's exciting to host the tournament again," said Jim DiSanza, chair of the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies. "I’m especially pleased that the investment the College is making is going to bring several hundred thousand dollars in direct financial return to the community. Without the support we received from the College of Arts and Letters, we could not have won this bid."

The CEDA tournament is the largest intercollegiate policy debate national championship. It is often referred to as "the people's tournament" because of the diversity and number of attendees. More than 160 two-person teams will register for the event from more than 60 universities nationwide.

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