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58th Annual West Point Debate Tournament

October 20 – October 22, 2023

United States Military Academy at West Point, NY

SECURITY: This is the biggest issue so let’s put it up front. The academy has changed around its security many times in the past few years and we’re not exactly sure how they’ll proceed this year. We will update the tournament entrants as we get more clarity. Be sure everyone has their government issued identification at a minimum.

* Entry and Deadlines: tournament entries, including all contestant judge conflicts should be made through www.tabroom.com. Please enter the tournament by October 16, 2023 at 5PM. Be sure to email late entries or any last minute changes to kathrynrubino@gmail.com. If changes occur after 12PM on Friday October 20, please call them into Kathryn Rubino at 917-771-9314.

After registering, judging preferences and strikes should be complete no later than Thursday (October 19, 2023).

* Resolution: The tournament will be debating the 2023-2024 CEDA resolution.

* Format: Three divisions of debate will be offered: novice, junior varsity, and varsity.

* Time limits for speeches are 9-3-6 with 10 minutes of preparation time.

*There will be six preliminary rounds. Rounds one and two will be pre-set. Rounds three through six will be power matched.

* We are offering MPJ in all three divisions. These rankings and strikes may not take effect for rounds 1 and 2 if they are not submitted before Friday October 20 at www.tabroom.com.

* An appropriate number of elimination rounds will be offered in accordance with applicable rules and based on the size of the tournament.

*Entries: Enter as many teams as you like in each of the three divisions. If entries exceed room availability, latecomers may be restricted.

*Awards: Awards will be based on the number of entries. The first place varsity team will also take home the USMA Traveling Trophy (a mounted Cadet Sabre) for one year.

*Fees: $55/person – participant, judge, coach, etc.

*Judging: one judge is required for every two teams entered and must be entered on the Tabroom.com with their conflicts and any division qualifications. Uncovered teams will be charged an additional $100 judging fee. Judging obligations extend through the octafinal round or one round beyond that in which your team is eliminated. If you are hired by a team still in the tournament, you are still considered obligated until the team makes other arrangements — so make sure they’re making arrangements for you. All judges must render a decision no later than 2 hours and 15 minutes after the scheduled start of the round or we will flip a coin to determine the next rounds’ pairing.

*Hotel information: West Point is “geographically challenged” and many of the larger hotel chains are in Newburgh, approximately a 30 minute drive from campus.

1) Knights Inn (845) 564-9020 (formerly Quality Inn)

Newburgh, NY. Approximately 35 minutes from West Point.

2) Comfort Inn Newburgh (845) 567-0567

Newburgh, NY. Approximately 35 minutes from West Point.

3) FairBridge Inn & Suites (845) 446-9400

Highland Falls, NY. Approximately 5 minutes from West Point.

4) Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites (845) 446-4277 Fort Montgomery, NY. Approximately 10 minutes from USMA.

5) Hampton Inn (845) 782 9600

Harriman / Woodbury, NY. Approximately 15 minutes from USMA.

6) Hampton Inn (845) 567-9100

Newburgh, NY. Approximately 40 minutes from USMA.

7) US Academy Motel (845) 446-2021

Highland Falls, NY.

8) West Point Motel (845) 446-4180

Highland Falls, NY. Approximately 2 minutes from USMA.

*Directions to West Point: West Point is in the Hudson Valley approximately one hour north of NYC. Access via the NY Thruway (84) to 9W South, exit at 218 and follow signs to West Point or, the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) to the Palisades Parkway to Bear Mountain Bridge then follow the signs to West Point.

*We recommend that you enter USMA through Thayer Gate (in Highland Falls). You can also enter from Stony Lonesome gate (along 9W).

*Tournament Registration: Registration will be held in Thayer Hall Rotunda Friday afternoon from 1:00 pm to 3:45 pm. Off-load debaters on Thayer Roof at the southern staircase (we’ll have a few spots reserved for unloading). Parking will be in Clinton Field Lot (near the baseball field and tennis courts). Be advised that classes will be in session (until 4:00 pm) during registration; we ask all teams to please be quiet in the halls.

*Transportation: The closest airport is Stewart International Airport in Newburgh New York. Other airports in the region include Newark (1.5 hours), LaGuardia and JFK (1.5-2 hours depending on traffic). Consult your travel agent and MapQuest for driving directions. The closest train is Garrison (approximately 11 miles, directly across the Hudson River).

*Several post security measures are in effect (PROCEDURES MAY CHANGE AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE TOURNAMENT — COACHES, MONITOR YOUR TOURNAMENT EMAILS). Please ensure that everyone over the age of 16 carries a photo ID with them at all times. Vans, buses and cars are subject to a routine search at the gate (plan on an extra 15 minutes). We recommend that you enter post from Thayer Gate (in Highland Falls).

* Tournament Schedule

Friday, 20 October

(Off load debaters and evidence on Thayer Hall Roof, southern staircase)

1:00 – 3:45 Team Registration Thayer Rotunda

5:00 – 7:00 Round 1 Thayer Hall

7:00 – 9:00 Round 2 Thayer Hall

Saturday, 21 October

7:00 – 8:00 Continental Breakfast Thayer Rotunda

8:00 – 10:00 Round 3 Thayer Hall

10:00 – 12:00 Round 4 Thayer Hall

1200 – 1:15 Lunch Thayer Hall

1:15 – 3:15 Round 5 Thayer Hall

4:00 – 6:00 Round 6 Thayer Hall

6:30 – 8:30 Partial Double Octafinals Thayer Hall

*CEDA EAST REGIONAL MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY. TIME AND LOCATION TBD

Sunday, 22 October

7:00 – 8:00 Coffee and Juice Thayer Rotunda

8:00 – 10:00 Octafinals Thayer Hall

10:30 – 12:00 Brunch and Awards

12:30 – 2:30 Quarterfinals Thayer Hall

3:00 – 5:00 Semifinals Thayer Hall

6:00 – 8:00 Final Round