Season is underway for Aggie Speech and Debate Club with new head coach

The Utah State University Speech and Debate Team earned the third-place team sweepstakes award for debate in the season's first conference-designated tournament of the season, held Oct. 11-13 at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore.

LOGAN – Once again, Utah State University’s Speech and Debate Club – competing recently in the largest tournament in the Northwest – outperformed schools with paid coaches and students on scholarship.

New Head Coach Chantelle Gossner said the key to their third place finish among over 40 schools was the preparation of team members.

”Ultimately, it’s about who works hard and is prepared to commit to this. It is time consuming; they have to make it a priority in order to do well. We recruit at campus events and if students are able to complete requirements of putting together and memorizing good speeches and doing well in debate, then they are able to come with us.”

Gossner, who replaced veteran coach Dr. Tom Worthen, said none of the USU team members are on scholarship.

”Which is pretty wild. Pretty impressive, when you compare us to other universities because there are schools like Boise State University and the University of Utah, both of whom we compete with, that have most of their students on scholarship. And we consistently do as well as those schools.”

Gossner said the club’s modest budget comes from funds provided by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and from private alumni donations.

Leading the way for the Aggies at the Northwest Forensic Conference tournament at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon was veteran Brock Redman who earned the senior division championship in After Dinner Speaking as well as second place in senior division Informative Speaking.

The season concludes with the national championships in March.

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