LARRY SCOTT DEATHERAGE 1962-2009

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LARRY SCOTT DEATHERAGE 1962-2009

Larry Scott Deatherage, 1962-2009: Noted debate coach, formerly of Northwestern University

By Alejandra Cancino

Tribune reporter

December 29, 2009

Larry Scott Deatherage was widely considered one of the top collegiate debate coaches in the nation.

Mr. Deatherage led the Northwestern University Debate Society to seven national championships as director from 1990 to 2008.

"If you think the NCAA basketball tournament for college, it's essentially the debate form of that," said LaTonya Starks, who was recruited by Mr. Deatherage in high school.

Mr. Deatherage, 47, died Friday, Dec. 25, in Northwestern Memorial Hospital after a heart attack Dec. 22.

He was known for pushing his students to reach their full potential.

"He believed very strongly in debate and what it could do for students -- how valuable it was for their education," said David Zarefsky, who hired Mr. Deatherage when he was the dean of the university's School of Communication.

Starks said Mr. Deatherage instilled grace and integrity in his students. To them, "Duck" was a legend, mentor and friend.

"He was not only a coach for me, but he was one of those people who whatever you needed he would do that for you, and he became a father to me," Starks said.

Mr. Deatherage was born in Houston and was the youngest of six siblings.

"He was always very opinionated as a child, and as he was growing up and as an adult," said Diana Baldwin, Mr. Deatherage's sister.

He received a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in communication studies from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He moved to Chicago in the mid-1980s to attend Northwestern University, where he got a doctorate in communication studies.

In 2003, Mr. Deatherage was named the Pelham National Coach of the Year. Four years later, he was named the Ziegelmueller National Debate Tournament Coach of the Year. In 2008, he left Northwestern to be executive director of the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues.

"Scott had seen debate make a tremendous difference in the life of college and high school students and wanted to make sure that that same opportunity was available to women and students of color in working-class schools," said Eric Tucker, the association's deputy director and chief academic officer.

Tucker said Mr. Deatherage's leadership gave 150 urban public high schools nationwide access to debate.

"The debate community and even the urban education reform community has lost a powerful advocate and friend," Tucker said.

Mr. Deatherage also is survived by his brothers, Donald, Patrick, Michael and William Lechner.

Details for services are pending.

mcancino@tribune.com