On behalf of the Yale Debate Association, I invite you and your team to the Eighteenth annual Yale University Invitational Tournament from Friday, September 24, 2010 to Sunday, September 26, 2010. The tournament will consist of competition in Varsity and JV Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Public Forum Debate, Policy Debate, Congressional Debate, Parliamentary Debate, and six Speech events.

Year after year, our tournament grows and gains national recognition for its high level of competition. Last year, 121 schools from 19 states helped to make the seventeenth edition a huge success. Like last year, we expect quarter- finalists in Varsity Lincoln-Douglas, octa-finalists in Public Forum debate, and Congressional Debate Super Session participants to earn a bid to the Tournament of Champions.

I am particularly excited about several things this year. This year, the Tournament will again include, and build on, Parliamentary Debate. Additionally, Varsity Lincoln Douglas will feature a seventh preliminary round this year. Further, hotel contracts have been renegotiated to provide schools with much cheaper rates than in previous years.

Finally, tab will be directed again by Chris Palmer of Newton South in Massachusetts. Currently slated to join us are Jim Menick of Hendrick Hudson (NY), Joe Vaughan of Scarsdale (NY) and Lynne Coyne of Ridge HS (NJ) 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). Mike Vigars of Trinity Prep (FL) will again direct Congressional Debate. All are nationally recognized and successful tab coordinators. For the past decade, they have been essential to our ability to run a smooth tournament, and one that ran ahead of schedule last year.

The information provided on this website should answer most questions that you may have about our tournament. If you need additional assistance, please email us at yale@tabroom.com. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if your team is experiencing difficulties.

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

Sincerely,

Marc Wallach