USA Urban Debate Leagues Hold National Tournament

From http://www.urbandebate.org/chasenational.shtml

Chase Urban Debate National Championship
The NAUDL is thrilled to host the first Chase Urban Debate National Championship featuring the best UDL teams from across the nation. The Urban Debate National Championship is very generously sponsored by J.P. Morgan Chase.

Dates
The dates for the tournament are April 3-6, 2008.

Participants
The Chase National Championship will bring together two teams from each of 19 Urban Debate Leagues from across the country. Approximately 72 outstanding debaters, accomplished coaches and dedicated urban debate and public school administrators will join us for a weekend of competition, conferencing and community.

Tournament Host
The Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management will host the event at their downtown Chicago campus. This central location will allow students and coaches to experience a few of the city’s unique cultural institutions.

National Museum of Mexican Art
Chase Urban Debate National Championship participants are scheduled to visit and dine at The National Museum of Mexican Art, the nation’s largest Latino arts institution and the only Latino museum accredited by the American Association of Museums. The Museum has become a national leader and mentor for culturally grounded institutions and community based arts organizations, as well as for its advocacy of cultural equity issues.

Freedom Museum
Chase Urban Debate National Championship participants will also visit Chicago’s interactive McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum. The new Museum highlights the struggle for freedom in the United States and is the nation’s first to be dedicated to the role the First Amendment plays in our lives.

Participant Conferences
In conjunction with the tournament, the NAUDL will host a series of conferences for students, coaches and administrators. Students will attend college and career information sessions. Coaches and administrators will participate in professional development meetings and engage in problem-solving dialogue on important issues facing UDLs.

NAUDL National Dinner
During the National Championship weekend, on Saturday April 5, the NAUDL will host its first annual National Dinner. Guests will gather at the University Club of Chicago, overlooking the city’s new Millennium Park. At the dinner we will celebrate the Urban Debate Network’s history, present and future. United States Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald will deliver the Keynote Address. Emory University’s Director of Debate, Melissa Wade, will be awarded the first NAUDL’s National Champion’s Award for her pioneering efforts to develop and spread urban debate throughout the country. The tournament National Champions and Top Speakers will be crowned at this dinner.

Sponsorship
The JP Morgan Chase Foundation has graciously agreed to underwrite the expenses of hosting the tournament through a generous grant. This includes paying the full costs of transportation, housing, meals, awards, and events for each of the participants. “We are extremely excited to sponsor the Urban Debate National Championship with the NAUDL. This program is consistent with our Foundation’s long history of promoting educational excellence and of helping students prepare for and gain access to college,” said Kimberly B. Davis, Senior Vice President, Global Philanthropy, and President of the JP Morgan Chase Foundation. The NAUDL is extremely grateful for the JP Morgan Chase Foundation’s visionary support for this unprecedented event.