Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 3/28/00
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple   29

SLU DEBATE PROGRAM RANKED 29TH NATIONALLY
     HAMMOND -- At the close of the 1999-2000 debate season, the Cross Examination
Debate Association has ranked  Southeastern Louisiana University's debate program 29th 
nationwide, second in its South Central division, and first in Louisiana.
     "This has been the best year our program has had in the six years that I have been here.
It's probably our best ever," said Scott Elliott, the communication and theatre professor who
directs the debate program. "Given the small size of our squad, I believe we had the highest
quality team ever at Southeastern."
     Debate team members are Angel Monistere and  Zach Hyden of Hammond, Carl Gauthier
of Baton Rouge, and Ashley Smith of Zachary.
     Universities are ranked according to the number of their tournament or debate round
wins, Elliot said. Over the past six years, he said Southeastern has been ranked first or second
three times each in the South Central Division, which includes Louisiana and Texas schools.
Elliot twice has been named regional coach of the year and was also named coach of the year at
the CEDA's national "novice" debate tournament.
     Elliot said 1999-2000 highlights include first place team finishes at the Middle Tennessee
State University, Louisiana State University and California State-Long Beach tournaments and
numerous individual victories for the  team members. 
     "We also are rated as the best policy debate program in Louisiana and our debaters and
teams have won the state championship in policy debate," Elliot said.
     "Overall, we have a very strong program," he said.
                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsp00.htm