The invitations will always include a tentative schedule. Running a tournament, however, is a tricky thing. Thus, we ask that participating families and schools be patient as the schedule will sometimes change as the day progresses. Remember that it only takes a single ballot not being turned in to the ballot turn-in table for the entire tournament to be delayed.
Speech tournaments have been scheduled for mid-week, starting as soon as the host school can clear the campus and ready the rooms. See individual invitations throughout the year for specific schedules. Debate tournaments have been scheduled for Saturdays so that we may have 4 preliminary rounds and up to 3 9 out-rounds, to determine champions in the different events. A good guess would be 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for speech and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for debate. Keep in mind that students who do not advance into out-rounds will know by the end of the lunch break. Thus, they may be free to go. Please consult your coaches as each school may have a different policy about this. For example, one school that I know of will encourage students to stay and watch rounds, as a learning tool.
Every attempt will be made to get our students home at a reasonable time and to keep the tournaments running on time. Please understand that tournaments can run over-time. We are getting better and better at this so there is hope for a tournament that runs on time – it’s inevitable!