Kansas Debate Classic

2025 KANSAS DEBATE CLASSIC

You and your team are cordially invited to the Kansas Debate Classic (KDC) held January 10 and 11, 2025, at Washburn Rural. This event celebrates the vast majority of Kansas high school debaters by crowning a traditional policy debate champion across all classifications. Kansas programs who uphold the principles of traditional policy debate are encouraged to attend. Registration will open up on December 6th at 5pm.

Qualifications:

Individual students who wish to attend must meet the following qualification standards: 60% win/loss (or higher) at 4 (or more) tournaments in the top division above the novice/JV level, or in the open division at DCI qualifying tournaments. No more than 4 teams from each school may enter the KDC. Entries will be submitted via a form provided at a later date by the committee.

Judging:

Schools will be required to bring 1 judge for every two teams.

The committee reserves the right to utilize community judges, including a “celebrity” (policy-makers and former coaches) pool for out-rounds, who are experienced in traditional debate practices. Late elimination rounds may also be judged by qualified judges from the Novice State pool.

Qualifications:

Judges are encouraged in making decisions to keep in mind the following definition of traditional debate: “Debates should focus around the policy implications of plans attached to the resolution in a moderately conversational pace.” Coaches should carefully consider their judge choices, bringing individuals they would want to critique their own debaters who engage in a traditional style. This criteria includes: (1) lay judges: defined as people with no competitive debate experience, though they may have judged before. Example: a parent who has previously judged. (2) Former traditional high school debaters/coaches in tune with the vision of this tournament. (3) Head or assistant coaches. Lastly, in line with KSHSAA state championship rules, no judges should be in their first year out of high school.

Fees and Awards:

Fees will be $120 per entry. In addition to out-rounds participants, every student will receive a custom medal. Additional awards include speaker awards and out-round plaques.

For each student, your entry fees include meals and a t-shirt. Each participating school will also receive a framed team photo.

All entry fees are owed if the tournament is held, even if an individual school is unable to attend.

Format & Logistics:

Open tab, 5 preliminary debates (3 Friday), after which the top 16 teams will advance to an octafinal round. The topic will be this year’s debate resolution. All KSHSAA rules apply.

Schedule:

Friday preliminary rounds: 4:00 / 6:00 / 8:00

Saturday preliminary rounds: 8:30 / 10:30

Awards assembly for qualifier medals & speaker awards: 12:30 or ASAP

Saturday elimination rounds: 1:00 octafinals, then continuing ASAP until complete

Administration:

The committee responsible for administering the KDC consists of Rob Egan (Newton), Megan Blackburn (Clay Center), Bethany Jenkins (Nickerson), and Eric Skoglund (Olathe Northwest).

We look forward to seeing you and your students in January! If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact any of the standing committee members.