**NOTE: We will be utilizing E-Ballots. Please ensure that the settings for your judges are updated!**

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the Louisiana State University Shreveport Debate Team, I would like to extend an
invitation to the 51st annual “Red River Classic” hosted on our campus in Shreveport, LA! This
season our tournament will be hosted November 6th-8th.

This year, our tournament will feature TIPDA, IPDA (Novice, Junior Varsity, Varsity, and
Professional) and welcome back several Individual Events outlined below!

We will offer four preliminary rounds for TIPDA competitors and seven preliminary rounds for all
IPDA divisions. Over the last year, I’ve spoken with many coaches and competitors. Some
LOVE that 7 rounds, others dread it. I have found it really difficult to measure which side is
louder. So, this year, we intend to collect that data and will implement it moving forward! In other
words, this could very well be the last season in which we offer the 7 preliminary rounds.
We do hope that even if you are from a program who is not particularly fond of these 7 rounds of
competition, that you join us and participate in that discussion. We will do our best to make this
tournament run smoothly and stay on time! If nothing else, we hope this will be a good test run
for your team leading up to the 8-round sprint at Nationals in the Spring!

Lunch will be provided on Saturday, with a designated lunch break on the schedule. As always,
we ask that you bring judges to cover all entries. We would rather have your judges than your
money! This is particularly true in regards to your IE entries. In fact, if you have a Pro competitor
that is qualified to judge for IEs and sign them up to do so for Friday, we will waive their
entrance fee for Saturday’s competition!

All entries must be received by Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. CST via
ForensicsTournament.net. Changes will be accepted via FTN without charge until Wednesday,
November 4th, 2025, at 12:00 P.M. CST. Late fees will be charged for any changes after noon
on the 4th.

Details of this tournament may be different from years past so I encourage you to read through
the information on this document and reach out with any questions or concerns.

Lastly, we are looking forward to hosting our awards ceremony early Sunday morning! You can
expect one or two surprises here that we are excited to share with you and have a feeling you
might enjoy!

Best,
Lindsay Duede
Director of Debate
Louisiana State University—Shreveport
LDuede@lsus.edu