LSUS debate team ranks No. 10 nationally across all styles
SHREVEPORT, La. — Following three national titles last season, the LSU Shreveport debate team has been ranked No. 10 in all styles of debate by American Liberty Media's Top 50 college debate programs.
SHREVEPORT, La. — Following three national titles last season, the LSU Shreveport debate team has been ranked No. 10 in all styles of debate by American Liberty Media's Top 50 college debate programs.
"My students work hard, and they do much of that work outside of the spotlight," debate director Lindsay Duede said. "It means something not only to me but to the entire team to see that their work is recognized and that they are ranked above schools like (No. 13) Harvard and (No. 20) Princeton."
Duede noted the program returns nearly its entire roster for the upcoming season.
LSUS is the only public regional university in the top 20, joining programs such as No. 1 Kansas, No. 3 University of Chicago, No. 6 Rice, No. 7 Yale and No. 8 Michigan.
The Pilots are the second-highest ranked International Public Debate Association squad behind No. 5 Mississippi State.
The rankings evaluate programs from the IPDA, American Debate Association, American Parliamentary Debate Association, British Parliamentary, Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas, Cross Examination Debate Association and the National Parliamentary Debate Association.
Criteria include competitive opportunity, coaching staff, program resources, historical success and prestige.
Last season, Lindsey Brown claimed two of LSUS’s three national titles, winning championships in varsity debate and varsity speaking. Heidi Tyler and Kaleb Schmidley captured a team title at a separate national tournament.
Duede, entering her second season heading the program, said the team is hosting interest meetings from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Sept. 1 in Bronson Hall Room 310. No prior debate experience is required.