Nevada Debate Union

03/01/2024

In honor of National Speech and Debate Education Day, we wanted to remind everyone of the transformative power of forensics competition. Many of you have first-hand knowledge and experience.

We are also reaching out to ask for your support of the Nevada Debate Union and our students. We are currently creating a new scholarship endowment in the memory of Larry Struve. Larry was an incredible person who used his abilities to do great things for the people in his community throughout his life.

New endowments require $30k and thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have pledges totaling $25,500. We would like to reach our target before the May 31 deadline so that students could begin receiving scholarship next academic year. Can you help us get to, and beyond, the target?

https://unr.imodules.com/s/1949/cf21/interior.aspx?sid=1949&gid=2&pgid=2449

Donations can also be made to the program and the Griffin-Santini Endowment directly by contacting Phil or Stefanie Givens.

02/28/2024

It is with great sadness that I share the passing of our dear Ronna Liggett.

Ronna was the coach for the Nevada Speech and Debate Team for a number of years around the turn of the century. Current Director Phil Sharp remembers meeting her at tournaments in his early years as an assistant coach. She was always so fun and energetic. She loved forensics and believed in the power of it to transform the world.

Ronna truly made her mark on countless students at University of Nevada, Reno. Many of those students are still in and around the area impacting the world; Two even serve on the Griffin-Santini Endowment Committee. After retiring from coaching, and later teaching, Ronna continued to spread the gospel of speech and debate around the world.

The Wolf Pack extends its condolences to all who are missing Ronna now. We can only believe that she is out there getting someone ready for their first speech now.

04/25/2023

We would love to see some of our supporters and alums at the annual Debate Awards on May 8th at 5pm in the JCSU. Parking codes are available for guests. Please message for details.

04/20/2023

It is with great sadness that the Nevada Debate Union says farewell to one of its greatest alums and supporters. Larry Struve passed away on Saturday 4/15/23. Earlier in the day we all saw that infectious smile one last time at a special graduation ceremony held for his grandson Quinn.

Larry earned his bachelor’s from The University of Nevada, Reno in 1964 in political science and then received a master’s from Tufts University, and J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. He has been an active alumnus of the University of Nevada, Reno having served as Alumni Council President helping lead the effort to restore Morrill Hall and was President of the Friends of the University Library and helped establish an endowment with the University Foundation to support the Nevada Writers’ Hall of Fame. 📚

Larry’s experiences led him to create the Griffin/Santini Endowment Fund to support the University’s forensics program; and in 2012 he was awarded the Santini Cup for community service. He also established two endowments at the University Foundation to support scholarships and teaching awards in The College of Business. 💙🐺💙

During his professional career he was a chief deputy, a law clerk, a Washoe County civil deputy district attorney and counsel to the county commission. He also served as president of the Washoe County Bar Association and a member of the State Public Works Board. For eleven years he was an advocate at the Nevada Legislature for several faith-based organizations and wrote a book about his experiences, “A Humble Walk for Justice.” He wrote another book entitled “Building Trust in Government: Governor Richard H. Bryan’s Pursuit of the Common Good” in which he recounts many of his experiences as a member of Governor Bryan’s Executive Cabinet.

Larry lived in Reno and was widowed in 2019 when he lost his wife of 51 years, Colleen Quinn. In her memory he created the Struve Family Art of Leadership Achievement Award Endowment at the University in 2020. They had two daughters and five grandchildren. Their daughter Heidi is a University graduate and their grandson Quinn is a member of the University’s Class of 2023.

Rest in peace, Larry.

💙🐺💙

03/13/2023

After a long and eventful season in which the Wolf Pack attended in-person competitions in SF, Reno, San Diego, Stockton, Walnut Creek (x2), SW Washington, and Livermore, virtual competitions held by Climb the Mountain, Oregon State, and one intramural scrimmage, the team now finds itself in the midst of its end of season championships.

Two weeks ago, the team claimed 1st place University in the limited entry division at the Norcal Regional Championships on the back of an impressive showing by Sophomore Hannsh Branch.

This weekend, the team traveled to Conway, AR to compete in the Team IPDA Nationals at University of Cetrsl Arkansas. In the individual IPDA portion of that tournament, Branch once again earned a reputation as a force to be reckoned with in competition. While she finished in 3rd place, losing in Semis to Abiliene Christian University, she won top speaker. She finished 6 rounds of competition nearly perfect, earning 40/40 in 4 rounds and 39/40 in the other 2. This is yet another tournament Branch has earned either top speaker or first place this year.

This was a great opportunity for the team to get to know many of the schools who will attend the IPDA Championships in Boise, ID in 2 weeks. We are excited for the possibility ahead.

Go Wolf Pack!

10/05/2022

UNR Debate is hosting the BLCC Debate Tournament next week! We could really use help from alumni and local community members with the judging.
We have lots of events that do not require a lot of experience or expertise in speech and debate.
We rely all of you to make this event work each year. Please let me know if you can come and help on either Oct 15 or 16.

Here is the schedule:

Saturday Oct 15
9 AM IPDA Round 1/Pattern A Round 1
10:15 AM IPDA 2/Pattern A2
11:30 AM LD Round 1/Pattern B Round 1
12:45 AM LD 2/Pattern B2
2:15 PM IPDA 3/Pattern A3
3:30 PM LD 3/Pattern B3
4:45 PM IPDA 4/Pattern A Finals
6 PM LD 4/Pattern B Finals

Sunday, October 16
9 AM LD Elim 1
10:30 AM IPDA Bronze 1A
11:30 AM IPDA Bronze 1B
12:30 PM LD Elim 2
2:45 PM IPDA Gold
3:45 PM LD Elim 3 (if Necessary)*

10/04/2022

The Debate Team had an excellent first tournament of the year at San Francisco State University!

Sophomore Hannah Branch finished undefeated and Gold Medalist in IPDA Debate on Saturday. She also took third and fourth place in Impromptu speaking in each half of the IE Swing.

Senior Sky Cunanan was a finalist in Extemp on Sunday. This is Sky's first ever college debate tournament. Also attending their first tournaments were Jaime Woods and Izzy Durda.

The Wolf Pack is growing in size. We would love to have you on the team. Next up is the Biggest Little City Classic right here at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Please contact Director Sharp ([email protected]) if you are interested in helping on October 15-16!

09/02/2022

Did you miss us at the club fair?

That’s ok! Catch us Fridays from 9-12 in LH 100, e-mail Coach Phil at [email protected], or sign-up for or email list for updates!

For those interested in learning more about Speech and Debate opportunities at UNR.

08/25/2022

Did you know that members of the University of Nevada Debate Team can minor in Debate? Students can enjoy competitive debate while earning credit toward their minor.

That is right! UNR has a one-of-a-kind applied Debate Minor. Email Director Phil Sharp ([email protected]) for more info and to join the team.

Student members of the competitive debate team may declare this minor. The Debate Minor is appropriate for students with aspirations to pursue graduate studies, careers in education, or speech/debate coaching. Debate and critical thinking skills are also applicable to careers in law, management,...

08/24/2022

The University of Nevada, Reno Debate Team is currently recruiting students for its award-winning debate team. Our program participates in Individual Speech Events like extemporaneous, impromptu, persuasive, and informative.

We also do a form of extemporaneous debate known as International Public Debate (IPDA). This debate format asks students to give short, interactive speeches on a mutually-selected topic following 30 minutes of preparation. It emphasizes a balance of argumentation, structure, and delivery. It is great at developing critical thinking, research skills, and public speaking.

The team has a small number of scholarships to offer students who qualify. The University covers student travel expenses (lodging, transportation, and food per diem) and tournament registration.

If you know of students who might be interested, please send us a referral or have them email Director of Forensics Phil Sharp ([email protected]) for more info.

The team meets Friday 9-12. Students can contact Director Sharp to discuss enrolling in Com 209 for credit.

03/21/2022

Congrats to Senior James Striplin who took quarterfinalist in IPDA at the International Forensics Tournament held March 14 and 15. James also finished as the 6th overall speaker in the event.

After finishing prelims 3-1, James then won his first elimination round to advance to Quarterfinals where he lost a close debate 2-1 arguing against the topic "Brexit did more harm than good."

James gave up much of his Spring Break to compete in this virtual tournament, as well as Friday at the National Online Forensics Tournament. Competition lasts 10-12 hours a day for two days.

After working hard in his one and only semester on the Nevada Debate Team, James will graduate this Spring. We wish him the best of luck and congratulate him on his successful, brief time in collegiate forensics.

03/21/2022

Double National Championship for Freshman Branch and Nevada Debate-

Nevada Debate has once again claimed top prize at the National Online Forensics Championships. This time, Hannah Branch, is bringing home a Championship in not one, but two events at the tournament which included participants from 35 Colleges and Universities from 16 different states.

On Friday, Hannah advanced to elims of IPDA after completing prelims a perfect 4-0 and receiving three perfect scores from her judges. As a result, Hannah earned the number one seed.

She then won both of her elimination debates, besting opponents from Contra Costa College and Weber State. As a result of the tournament format, they awarded the winners of all 7 Elim 2 debates a "gold" medal.

IPDA is an individual debate format in which competitors and their opponent take turns rejecting topics until the list of 5 is down to one. They then have 30 minutes to research and prepare for the 30 minute debate.

This event was the largest at the tournament with 74 entries. Hannah was recognized as the 3rd overall speaker, a separate award not tied to wins and losses, based on judge scores. She finished just 1.33 points behind first place (388vs389.33).

On Sunday, Hannah followed up with a Gold Medal in the final round of Impromptu. Two students received a gold medal in this round, based on the field of 33 entrants. As it was a head-to-head final and Hannah received the highest rankings of the judges, she took the overall first place and was crowned the tournament champion in the event.

The team finished tied for 5th-place, along side San Diego State, for 4-year Universities competing in the tournament. The team finished behind the much larger squads from Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, Texas State, and Weber State.

The team last took Gold at the 2020 NOFC in NPDA, when John Villanueva and Nickie Moore took one of two golds in that two-person debate. National Online Forensics was created in May 2020 by several Speech and Debate coaches in Southern California following the abrupt cancellation of most College Championship Tournaments.

Danny Cantrell, the Director of Debate at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, California helped to establish the platform the tournament uses and was the Tournament Director again this year for the Championships.

With each year the virtual tournament has grown in popularity and size. They now offer Championship tournaments for College, High school, Middle School, and Elementary.

Next, the team will head to Abilene, Texas in April where students and coaches will travel for the first time since March 2020. The International Public Debate(IPDA) Championships will be held at Abilene Christian University April 7-11.

Go Pack!