Questions families ask first.

Myers Park students interested in Speech, Debate, or Congressional Debate are welcome to join. No prior speech or debate experience is required.

No. New students can learn with help from coaches and experienced team members.

Complete the team registration form on the website. Registration collects the student, parent/guardian, emergency, medical/insurance, authorization, and payment information needed for the season.

Yes. Tabroom (opens in a new tab) is the primary tournament platform used for entries, schedules, pairings, results, and judge assignments. Students who compete should have their own account.

The student’s school email is required during team registration. A personal or non-school email may also be provided, especially if that is the email the student checks most often.

The registration fee helps support team and competition expenses throughout the season. Some tournaments or travel may involve additional costs, which will be communicated when applicable.

No. Team registration fees are nonrefundable.

Yes. Families may request financial assistance during registration. Questions about financial assistance can go to scholarships@mpspeechanddebate.com. If you have requested financial assistance, a board representative will contact the family privately regarding the request.

No. The program covers payment-processing fees. You pay exactly the $350 registration fee.

No. The team competes at multiple tournaments during the season, and students participate in the opportunities appropriate for their events, schedule, and competitive plan.

No. Students are not required to attend a minimum number of tournaments.

The season schedule is published on the website, and additional tournament information and deadlines are communicated by the team.

Families and students indicate their plans through the team’s tournament process. Coaches make or approve the official tournament entries and Tabroom registration.

Official tournament results are generally recorded through Tabroom or the tournament’s official system. Notable Myers Park results are also published on the Results page of this website.

Transportation arrangements vary by tournament. Families will receive tournament-specific travel information before each competition.

The authorization allows the team to coordinate appropriate transportation for team activities and tournaments when needed. Tournament-specific plans will still be communicated to families.

Speech and debate tournaments rely heavily on judges, and the number of students a team may enter can depend on its ability to provide qualified judging.

No. New judges can be trained, and tournament-specific instructions are provided as needed.

Families should make every reasonable effort to help the team meet its judging obligations. Parents and guardians should be considered first. If they cannot judge, the family may identify another appropriate adult when necessary.

Yes. Anyone who will actually serve as a tournament judge should have their own Tabroom account and complete any required team or event training.

Judging needs and assignments are communicated before each tournament. A tentative need or availability request is not the same as a confirmed judging assignment.

Speech events emphasize public speaking, interpretation, and performance. Debate events focus on structured argument, research, advocacy, and refutation. Congressional Debate simulates a legislative session in which students research, debate, and vote on proposed legislation.

Often, yes. The options depend on the tournament, scheduling, event rules, and the student’s experience and competition plan.

Families should monitor team communications and keep their contact information current. Tournament-specific information, deadlines, judging needs, and other important updates will be communicated as the season progresses.

Questions should be directed to the appropriate coach, team contact, or board coordinator based on the subject. Judging questions should go to the Judging Coordinator.

This information helps coaches and responsible adults respond appropriately if a student experiences a medical issue or emergency during a team activity or tournament.

The emergency contact provides another responsible adult who can be reached if needed. In an emergency, the team should attempt to contact the listed parents or guardians before contacting the additional emergency contact.

Registration includes the required team authorizations and acknowledgments, including transportation authorization, photo and video consent, emergency and medical-related information, and the team’s liability and release acknowledgment.