On behalf of the Yale Debate Association, we invite you and your team to the sixteenth annual Yale University Invitational Tournament from Friday, September 26, 2008 to Sunday, September 28, 2008.  The tournament will consist of competition in Varsity and Junior Varsity Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Public Forum Debate, Policy Debate, Student Congress, and six Speech events.

Year after year, our tournament grows and gains national recognition for its high level of competition.  Last year, 116 schools from 18 states and 1 Canadian province helped to make the fifteenth edition a huge success.  The Yale tournament provides a wonderful opportunity to gain some early season practice and compete against schools from across the nation.  Like last year, we expect quarter-finalists in Varsity Lincoln-Douglas and Public Forum debate, as well as Student Congress Super Session participants, to earn a bid to the Tournament of Champions.

With over a century of debating experience, the Yale Debate Association regularly places teams in the elimination rounds of national and international college parliamentary debate tournaments.  Many of our members also excelled in high school forensics, and now teach at various institutes during the summer.  These same committed members form the core of a highly experienced tournament staff.

Tab will be directed again by Chris Palmer of Newton South in Massachusetts.  Joining us will be Jim Menick of Hendrick Hudson (NY) and Joe Vaughan of Scarsdale (NY) in LD tab, Jenny Cook of the University School (FL) in Public Forum, and Sheryl Kaczmarek of Newburgh Free Academy (NY) in Policy. Speech tab staff includes Jonathan Chavez and Lisa Honeyman of Newton South (MA), Dave Yastremski of Ridge (NJ), Barb Giuliano of St Joseph’s Prep (PA), and many others.  Alicia Slavis of Christian Brothers Academy (NY) and Mike Vigars of Trinity Prep (FL) will again direct Student Congress.  All are nationally recognized and successful tab coordinators.  For the past decade, they have been essential to our ability to run a smooth tournament.

The information provided with this invitation and on our tournament website,
http://yale.tabroom.com, should answer any questions that you may have about our tournament.  If you need additional assistance, please email us at yale@tabroom.com.

Best wishes for a restful and enjoyable summer and we look forward to seeing many of our old friends in New Haven in September.