Overview/History
Central Utah Speech & Debate Circuit was created by Jake and Shantell Neilson, in the fall of 2017. The Objective was to give schools in Central Utah more local one-day tournaments to reduce the financial burden of traveling to the Wasatch Front (Provo/SLC) or down to St. George to compete in High school Speech and debate. These travels were often expensive due to Judging, Transportation, Hotels, Tournament Fees, and other related expenses.

Over the years this circuit has expanded Speech and debate in central Utah. Some schools have revived programs that didn’t have or weren’t offering the activity at their local schools.

The purpose of this Circuit is to bring this activity to central Utah schools at an affordable cost and allow teams experience to become state competitive. Non-Membership Schools can and do attend, giving Central Utah a variety of opinions and viewpoints to each event.

Membership Dues
Since Covid, the Circuit changed from the Individual tournament fees schedule to an annual Membership dues form of payment. Schools who want to be included in the “Combined CUSDC tournaments Circuit Awards” which are given out in February, pay a flat once a year Membership due of $400 at the beginning of the season. This fee amount is evaluated when needed by the school members coaches to ensure the tournament directors' costs are coverage for the tournament operation, food and travel. Non-membership schools that choose to attend a CUSDC Tournament are not given entry priority and will have to pay the individual tournament entry fees per team, student, and tournaments (at this time, payable to Jake Neilson, W-9 is available on a CUSDC tabroom).

Membership Information
The Membership allows teams big and small to participate without worrying about their budget.
CUSDC Memberships will be first accepted to Central Utah schools, before considering Northern Utah or Southern Utah Schools. Email NeilsonTournaments@gmail.com for more information.

Membership Checks are sent/made out to Jake Neilson. A 1099 contractor form is sent out each year in the fall.
This $400 membership fee (based on each host site's building accommodations) gives students 1 debate and 1 IE event per tournament to be entered in. No separate school fees or entry fees for CUSDC Member schools. Judges and Coaches are fed lunch and snacks for the remainder of the day.

*Please note that based on host school room accommodations, sometimes we may request to reduce entry numbers when classrooms are limited.

CUSDC Tournaments
At this time, CUSDC hosts 1 tournament a month on either the 1st or 2nd Saturday starting in October through February. Refer to below (page 2) for the upcoming season schedule.

Congress legislation is found at https://utahdebatecoaches.org/landing-page/students/congress-legislation/
CUSDC Congress does a caucus at the beginning of the 1st congress session/round.

The CUSDC tournaments start at 8 am on Saturday mornings with alternating three rounds of 2-hour debates and three rounds of 1 ½ hour IE rounds, with a short lunch break (Debate/IE/Debate/IE/Debate/IE). IE double entries are allowed, EXCEPT in extemp. Most of the time, awards start around 6 pm. We have been able to clear out of the buildings by approx. 7 pm.

2023-24 Membership Schools

CUSDC Schedule for 2024-25 Season
”CUSDC” titled tournaments are membership entry fees covered.

October 12th - CUSDC Carbon

November 2nd - CUSDC North Sanpete (this date is over Red Rock Classic in Moab)

December 14th - CUSDC Richfield

January 11th - CUSDC Manti (Overlaps Beaver Battles)

February 1st - CUSDC Emery (end of Circuit 2024-25 season)