Dear NPDA Colleagues: 

On behalf of President Jeannie Hunt, the Executive Council, our host, the University of Utah’s John R. Park Debate Society, and the National Parliamentary Debate Association, I am pleased to invite you to the 23rd annual NPDA National Championship Tournament on Thursday, March 14 through Sunday, March 17, 2019 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT.We anticipate a fine weekend of education and competition, culminating with the awarding of the 2019 National Championship.

Please note the following deadlines for entry and ensure that all materials arrivein the proper location on time.  All forms must be electronically submitted following the enclosed instructions.  Faxes will not be accepted.

·      Monday, February 18, 2019 (6 p.m. Mountain)

o  Tournament entry due at http://www.forensicstournament.netand must include the names of all debaters and critics.

o  Tournament fees must be paid online if by credit card or, if by check, must arriveto the NPDA Treasurer’s office. Credit card payment is available at www.parlidebate.org. No personal checks are accepted.

o  Student eligibility forms dueby e-mail (npdanationals@gmail.com)to the tournament director. The document must include the signature of the Director of Forensics/Debate of the program, the signature of the college/university Registrar, and the seal of the institution.

o  Critic certification forms dueby email (npdanationals@gmail.com)to the tournament director. 

o  Critic philosophy statements and email addresses due to https://forensicstournament.net/school/judgeroster/judgephil. Philosophy statements must meet minimum standards for acceptance (see Critics section of this document). Critics mustenter the addresses where they will receive ballots during the tournament.

o  Program Responsibility form due by email (npdanationals@gmail.com)to the tournament director.

o  Title XI trainingmust be completed by all observes, judges, coaches, critics, and other attendees. If you have not completed training, use this link for instructions: https://www.parlidebate.org/harassment-violence-awareness-prevention-training

·      Friday, March 1, 2019

o  Hotel reservations due.See the Lodging section of this invitation for full hotel details.

·      Monday, March 11, 2019 (6 p.m. Mountain)

o  Critic strike page will be emailed to directors. Judging philosophies will be available at forensictournament.net.

·       Wednesday, March 13, 2019 (6 p.m. Mountain)

o  Critic strikes and ADA requests are due to the email indicated on the strike sheet. Strikes that are submitted late will not be guaranteed. 

·      Thursday, March 14, 2019 (4 p.m. Mountain)

o  Schools must register in person at the University of Utah. Teams failing to register in person will be removed from the tournament. If an emergency arises that prevents in-person registration at this time, call 801-828-0278 (Michael Middleton) immediately.

Failure to meet any of these deadlines will result in the removal of teams from the National Championship Tournament and the surrender of all registration fees. 

Note: For all tournament-related communication, please contact me ONLY at npdanationals@gmail.com or 801-828-0278. Information sent to any other email or phone number will not be accepted. 

For payment-related questions, you must contact NPDA Treasurer, Shannon LaBove, at Npdatreasurer@gmail.comor 903-503-2907.

Please read this document completely. I look forward to seeing each of you at the tournament as we celebrate the year and crown the national champion.

For the NPDA, 

Dr. Michael Middleton

National Championship Tournament Director