National Debate Championship Draws Elite High School Students to Campus

More than 300 students from high schools across the country participated in the 2011 National Debate Coaches Association’s (NDCA) National Championships, hosted by The University of Scranton and Scranton High School in April. Elite students from 23 states – including Alabama, Iowa, Minnesota and California – debated topics ranging from the treatment of juveniles in the U.S. criminal justice system to the use of financial incentives to encourage organ donation. Previous NDCA National Championships host sites include Michigan State University, Northwestern University and, most recently, Georgetown University.


Standing, from left, are tournament organizers Brian Manuel, tournament host and a graduate of and former speech and debate coach at Scranton High School; Taylor Roth, tournament host; Tim Mahoney, director of NDCA Championships; Madonna Savage, University of Scranton manager of scheduling and operations; and William King, superintendent of the Scranton School District.