From the Samford Crimson: Debate team volunteers with teens - Pt. 1


Apr 23, 2008

At first glance, the Samford debate team appears to be a highly recognized and successful group of orators. Samford's team is considered one of the most established and outstanding debate programs in the southeast. Under the leadership of communications studies professor Ryan Galloway, the team of five has performed well this year.

In December, the debaters defeated top-ranked teams to win the three-day John Carroll University tournament in Ohio, and this semester they competed in the National Debate Tournament (NDT).

When examined closer, the debate team runs deeper than even the most esteemed tournaments and awards. In addition to strong argumentation and a drive to succeed, the team has adopted a true spirit of service to the community with their volunteer efforts.

"Our two primary modes of volunteer work are sponsoring the Birmingham Area Debate League, or BADL, and working at the summer debate workshop," Galloway said.

The team currently hosts the  BADL, which was founded by Michael Janas, a communication studies professor and the previous director of Samford debate.

"BADL is a debate league for middle and high school students sponsored by Samford University, and students from the Birmingham metro area come to debate current topics six times a year on the Samford campus," Galloway said.

"The BADL provides Birmingham public schools with a debate league for students to participate in," sophomore pre-law major Logan Gramzinski, debate championship winner, said.
In addition to the BADL, the team also hosts an annual  two-week summer workshop at Samford for students from all over the country.

"We get approximately 60 (middle and high school) students from all around the country who want to improve their debating skills," Galloway said.

Every year young debaters come to form their craft and prepare for a successful debate career throughout high school and college.

"Numerous state and national champions, as well as future Samford students started off at the Samford workshop, and one of this year's national championship pair from Wake Forest got his start at the Samford debate workshop," Galloway said.

With students winning national championships, volunteer work like the BADL and the summer workshop are extremely important and influential.

"It is an opportunity to give back. We feel that Samford is obligated to local area high school and middle school students who may not have all the opportunities others have," Galloway said.

"It is important to provide these opportunities to as many students as possible, especially students from underprivileged schools and situations," Gramzinski said.

In addition to the competitive leagues and esteemed faculty young students are exposed to in the BADL and summer workshop, Samford debate also relieves any financial burden from the participants.

"The BADL charges no entry fees, and our high school workshop has some of the lowest entry fees in the nation," Galloway said. "We do this to try and give underprivileged students the best opportunities possible."

These opportunities provide young debaters with essential tools required to succeed in and out of academics.