Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 10/9/95
      Contact:                           Michelle Brouillette Chauvin  41

EDITORS:  PLEASE NOTE LOCAL INTEREST; PHOTO ACCOMPANIES.

SLU DEBATE TEAM SETTING NATIONAL RECORDS
     HAMMOND -- The Southeastern Louisiana University Debate Team is setting records
across the country, a feat that is making big-name universities take a new look at SLU.  
     "We are just so proud of this program," said Win Welford, head of the department of
communication and theatre. "Here is Southeastern beating teams from Vanderbilt, Emory,
Florida State, the University of Florida, the University of Alabama... It's just fantastic.  And that
gives the students such a boost, beating such big schools."
     The team recently returned from the Middle Tennessee State University tournament,
where the SLU Debate Program was ranked first overall and third in the nation in the overall
forensics program. Five Southeastern teams advanced to the elimination rounds. 
     At the University of South Carolina's national tournament, Southeastern team members
made it to the semifinal rounds and also placed first and second in the speaker category.
     "The entire speech and debate community is shocked by Southeastern's success," said
Coach Scott Elliott, who came to Southeastern from Florida State in 1994. "We're in the top 20
teams in the nation and while the others are busy trying to figure out where we came from, we're
just breezing right by them."
     Elliott contributes some of his success to the support he gets from the Southeastern
administration. "The kids are really well-motivated, knowing their school is behind them.  We
have been hampered by budget restraints, especially looking at some of the budgets the larger
universities have.  But we just have to do the best we can with what we've got."
     The team's pride in its accomplishments -- and growing trophy collection -- is obvious.
Walking out of Elliott's office, one member exclaimed, "Hey, coach, looks like some of our
awards are gathering a little dust..."
                                   
CUTLINE...

SLU DEBATE TEAM SETTING NATIONAL RECORDS -- The Southeastern
Louisiana University Debate Team members proudly displays some of the national recognition
awards they have recently won, including first overall and third in the nation in the overall
forensics program at the Middle Tennessee State University tournament. Team members also
advanced to advanced to the semifinal rounds at the University of South Carolina's national
tournament and placed first and second in the speaker category. Pictured, standing at left, are
debate coach Scott Elliott and, right, Terri Miller, assistant coach.  Sitting, from left, front, are
Leticia Koerin of Ponchatoula; Terry Noland of Hammond and Edwin Robinson of Sarasota,
Fla.; second, Jason Smith of Bogalusa; Cheryl Bynum of Mandeville and Stephanie Wright of
Holden; third, Marci Dickerson of Dona Ana, N.M., and K. Marie Treas of Laplace.  Not
pictured are Kenny Trent of Tallahassee, Fla.; Tony Fagan of Independence; Andrea Whalen of
Orlando, Fla.; and Jason Stone of Tampa, Fla.
                                    ###