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Comet Debate Institute
June 23 - 28, 9 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

UTD Debate is proud to announce the inaugural session of the Comet Debate Institute, June 23-28 (immediately following NFL).

The Comet CX Debate Institute offers a uniquely affordable opportunity to learn from some of the area’s top college coaches and debaters at a commuter camp, with hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Institute’s faculty will emphasize skill development (over evidence production), allowing students of all experience levels to strengthen their knowledge of debate fundamentals and help build their skills.

Why Attend CDI?

CDI Highlights

CDI Schedule

June 23 - 28, 9 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The Institute is a commuter camp and no housing is available. Participants will be responsible for transportation to and from the Institute.

CDI Tuition

The cost to attend the 6-day CX Institute is $360. CDI tuition does not include any meals, but many options are available at the Student Union. A lunch package is available for purchase; contact the CDI staff for details.

CDI Divisions

The Comet CX Institute features 2 divisions: Novice - for those with no previous debate experience; Advanced - for those with experience in any type of debate.

CDI Student-to-Faculty Ratio

The CDI will feature a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1 or lower.

CX Instruction

The instruction, curriculum and activities at the CDI is focused on cross-examination (CX) debate and is suitable for students competing on the TFA or UIL circuits. No LD or IE instruction will be offered.

High Quality Evidence

At registration, students will receive 200+ pages of high quality evidence, and allowing students to focus on improving debate skills (not just cutting cards).

Interested in learning more?

Send an e-mail to the CDI address. We’ll keep you up to date with staff additions and schedules as the Institute date draws nearer.

Comet Debate Institute (CDI)
cometdebateinstitute@gmail.com

Senior CDI Staff

Chris Burk, Director of Debate/Coach
BA, University of Texas; ABD, University of Texas

Chris has coached over a dozen teams to the National Debate Tournament, including multiple First Round teams, as an assistant coach at Texas-Austin. He is an experienced instructor, having led more than 20 labs at the Texas-Austin and Stanford camps as well as the International Debate Academy in Slovenia. Chris also works with Debate Central.

Scott Herndon, Asst. Director of Debate/Coach
BA, University of Kansas; MA, Kansas State University

Scott has coached numerous teams to the NDT and late elimination rounds of CEDA nationals coaching at Kansas State and UTD. An experienced instructor, he has led dozens of labs at the University of Kansas and Baylor University camps. Additionally, Scott has worked with the Dallas Urban debate league.

Todd Jordan, Asst. Coach and Graduate Student
BA, University of Kansas

Todd qualified three times for the NDT while debating at Kansas and was named a CEDA All-American debater. He coached at the University of Missouri - Kansas City for two years, during which UMKC earned a First Round bid to the NDT and reached the final round of the NDT.

Senior Staff will be assisted by other UTD coaches and debaters

About UTD Debate

The University of Texas at Dallas Debate Team is one of the country's fastest rising programs in college debate. The team was established in 1996, and immediately garnered local success, creating a name for itself as a competitive regional program. Since 1996 the UTD budget and staff have grown consistently and the program has shifted its focus from regional competitiveness to national success. The team earned its first qualification for the National Debate Tournament in Spring 2004 and has qualified for the NDT every subsequent year. The team also hosts the largest annual regular season college tournament in the region, with over 250 participants, coaches, and judges in attendance. In 2008, UTD hosted the Comet Challenge, a high school tournament for debate and IE, a Texas Forensics Association qualifier.

About UTD

The University of Texas at Dallas is a young, dynamic research institution on the cutting edge of science, technology, medicine, business and the arts. Since its inception in 1961 as an outgrowth of technology giant Texas Instruments, UTD fosters a strong tradition of academic excellence. Today, it ranks at or near the top in the number of computer science degrees awarded each year in the United States.

With a current enrollment of more than 14,000 students and a world-class faculty that includes two Nobel laureates, UTD aims to provide Texas and the nation with the benefits of educational and research programs of the highest quality. UTD is located in suburban Richardson and is easily accessible via major expressways and public transportation.