On behalf of the Northern Illinois University Debate Team and Staff,

you are invited to attend the

M. Jack Parker Debate Invitational

on October 17^th, 2025.

DeKalb, IL

The Northern Illinois University Forensics Team is excited to host our annual debate tournament, the M. Jack Parker Debate Invitational. The NIU Debate Team and coaching staff would like to honor the legacy of our former Director of Forensics, debate coach, and colleague Dr. M. Jack Parker.  Dr. Parker created NIU’s debate tournament with the goal of constructing a space where new debaters are able to learn the process of debate, and more seasoned debaters have the chance to hone their debate skills.  It is in this spirit that we offer a debate tournament where novices can start their debate careers, and varsity debaters can begin their debate season. 

The tournament will consist of four preliminary rounds, a semi, and a final debate round. Based on the number of entries, the tournament director may add to/subtract from the number of out rounds. This decision will be announced by the Thursday evening before the tournament. The top two novice debaters (who are not in the varsity out rounds) will qualify for a novice final round. Pairings will only be considered novice if both members are in their first two-years of competition. You will be asked to provide a list of your novice competitors at registration.

Entries are due on Tuesday, October 14^th, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you!

Sincerely,

Matt DuPuis                                

Northern Illinois University              

Director of Debate                         

Tournament Director                        

ENTRY FEES

$15 – Each covered PARLI team (1 judge covers two entries)
$50 - Each uncovered team (note: a full team fee is charged for Maverick parli teams, which a half-fee is charged for each member of a hybrid parli team)

PARLI FORMAT

1st Affirmative Constructive - 7 minutes

Flex Time - 2 minutes

1st Negative Constructive - 8 minutes

Flex Time - 2 minutes

2nd Affirmative Constructive - 8 minutes

Flex Time - 1 minute

2nd Negative Constructive - 8 minutes

1st Negative Rebuttal - 4 minutes

Flex Time - 1 minute

1st Affirmative Rebuttal - 4 minutes

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

Internet access is allowed during prep. Students may opt digitally flow but must not access the internet during the round.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to the tournament director (mdupuis1@niu.edu) for clarification.