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Show The Daily Utah Chronicle, Thursday, September 29, Page Eight U 1983 debate squad Utah '$ most unknown national contender It's been one of the best kept secrets on campus. During the last' 13 years, University Forensics Director Jack Rhodes has quietly made Utah one of the nation's most successful debate programs. Almost all coaches would agree that his squad is one of the top 15 in the nation. Few people on 'campus know that. . Lack of recognition is something debaters have learned to live with. A major reason the activity doesn't get much publicity is because few people really understand what contemporary debate f;"'' -- is. Most students on campus think of it in the presidential campaign context two speakers taking turns answering questions and discussing selected topics. Intercollegiate debate is vastly different. In the last 15 years, it has evolved from a simple exercise in d public speaking to one of policy advocacy. Few, if could students comprehend a college debate round any, regular if they heard one. g. For-- starters, the speed is Because debates are bound by time limits, competitors try to compress as much information and argumentation into a speech as possible by talking fast. Extraordinarily fast. For example, one debater from the University of Southern high-spee- mind-bogglin- California, a debate powerhouse, was clocked at 375 words a a : minute, about two times the normal rate of speech. That's just shade slower than the dynamo who does the Federal Express commercials ; . The rounds also involve highly complex issues. To be successful, debaters have to become experts on the subjects they discuss. Reading a few Netvnoeeks won't do. If a debater wants to be totally prepared to debate the MX missile, he must read almost everything that has ever been written about it. Seriously. Obviously, such a task would be considered herculean by anyone's standards. Rhodes, who has qualified teams to the 1 1 times, said prestigious National Debate Tournament teams debate-relate- d research for nationally-competitito of time a lot week. That's a 40 hours 30 and between required Marriott in Library. spend It's hard to keep up with schoolwork on that kind of schedule. Many debaters see their grade point averages drop significantly ve and some even take more than four years to graduate. However, they don't mind. Rhodes said he has never had a debater that regretted participating in the activity. He said his students have told him the benefits are well worth the sacrifices. What are those benefits? "Debate helps them in a way very few other things will help them with," Rhodes said. They know how to organize, they know bow to research, and they know how to put ideas together. They don't have much trouble writing term papers. They don't have much trouble expressing themselves.' "They can go over to the law school or other graduate programs and hold their own because they know what to do. They know how to proceed when they get to the library," he said. Rhodes said be is eagerly awaiting this year's season, which starts this weekend at the University of Wyoming. This could be Utah's biggest year yet. Scott Spicer and Marshall Tate, both juniors, are "one of the three most competitive teams I've ever had," he said. That's saying quite a bit. The two other teams finished fifth in the nation. Utah's competition for a national title comes mainly from the East Coast. Rhodes expects Dartmouth, Georgetown, Harvard, Northwestern and Emory to be the team's toughest adversaries this year. Not bad company. Despite the jjast achievements and future prospects, Utah doesn't get much publicity. Other programs in the state have been more heralded, perhaps with less reason. For example, clippings appeared in the Tribune last year debate program in the country. claiming BYU had the top-ratIt was true, but with qualification. There are two different kinds c. BYU excels in the of debate national topic and category. Comparing the .two is like contrasting the USFL with the c, or NFL, or the minor leagues with the major leagues. CEDA debate, requires very little research, is more simplistic, and is conducted at a much slower pace. Generally, those that ic wouldn't be very competitive with an debate ' team. Rhodes said he and his debaters are very frustrated when they see stories about other state programs in the papers. It is hard to explain to people that placing fifth at Harvard's tournament is far more outstanding than winning one of the local contests. The calibre of competition is vastly different. Yet, without the cheerleaders, the bands, and the noisy crowds, the debaters keep on going. And winning. Yes, the debate team has been quite a secret." But no longer. Kudos to Rhodes and his team for a job well done. ed off-topi- off-top- ic Off-topi- off-top- on-top- ic THE CHRONICLE IN A WORD, EXPERIENCE y o Come to tiie "Chronicle" and find out what a real newspaper is like, Come to the "Chronicle" where you will he appreciated, o Come to the "Chronicle" and he part of the best and most comprehensive intern training program at any fj major American university. Come to the Chronicle where others have received their training; others who have gone on to become media legends. n ' . MIL " If you would like to take advantage of this golden opportunity, pick up an internship application form at the Chrony offices, 240 Interns must be JMC Union, or call majors and have completed JMC 171. Three hours internship credit possible. 681-704- 1. sl "SILVERSTElN SEASON iJi 'i Student Soacon Tickoto this vvook only 4 concorto $20 Saturday Oct 1 Chamber Concert CharlM Kttham, Conductor Friday, Saturday, Oct 14-1- 5 Murry Sldlln, Quott Conductor Friday, Saturday, Nov. 5 Garrlck Ohlsson, pianist; Josoph Silvaratoin, Conductor Friday, Saturday, Nov. 25-2- 6 4-- Joseph Silvartteln, Conductor Tickets on sale on U of U Campus in Gardner Hall, Room 101 All Concerts Symphony Hall 8 p.m. Phone 581-67for Information 65 |