Please limit your judge hire requests as there are only a limited number of these judges available. Teams traveling from out of state will have priority on hired judges. Please note that all judges provided must be qualified to judge in the event for which you're hiring them. Novice judges that are themselves students must have at least 2 years of high school debate experience and must be at least juniors in high school. Varsity judges need to be experienced judges and/or debaters and must be out of high school. 

Judges are expected to disclose in-round. We’re still early enough in the season that the novices need your expertise. If detailed oral comments are warranted, that's fine, but a completed ballot should be given to a runner prior to oral critique. 

Policy Debate 

Varsity and Novice divisions will have four prelims (powered after two) breaking to Semi-finals.

Novice policy will also follow the Nebraska case limits. Please email me if you have questions. 

In years past, we’ve had to consolidate the two policy divisions into one division. If the need presents itself again, we will do so this year as well. In that case arises, I will contact coaches to confirm that they’re ok with their novice teams entering an open field. If this collapsed division happens, we will refund entry fees for any novice policy team that declines entry in the open field regardless of drop deadlines. 

Lincoln-Douglas Debate 

We will be using the November/December topic and follow the 6-3-7-3-4-6-3 format with 4 minutes prep time. Varsity and novice divisions will have five prelims (powered after two) breaking to quarters. 

Public Forum Debate 

We will use the December topic. There will be five prelims (powered after two), and all 3-2 records will clear to elimination rounds. 

Congress 

Legislation will be posted ASAP. 

Each school will be assessed a judging fee of $60 for each six students. You can alleviate this fee by bringing a judge for each six entries. This fee will be prorated. So, if you bring three students you can pay $45 or bring a judge. Your judges may only be used for ½ a day in congress, so please let me know which other event they would be willing to judge. These judges will all be finished before awards. 

Judges'/Coaches' Lounge & Concessions 

We hope judges and coaches will enjoy the amazing effort of our parents and local businesses for meals and snacks. Students will also have access to a variety of foods and beverages throughout the tournament.

Contact Info 

You may reach me via email at rtwiegert@mpsomaha.org. Please contact me with questions or concerns. 

We're looking forward to hosting your teams at Millard West on December 7th, 2019!