Some of the most determined competitors on campus are not wearing big shoulder pads or carrying lacrosse sticks. They’re in a classroom arguing with each other, equipped with only their active minds. And they have a roomful of plaques and trophies attesting to their success.

Saint Anselm’s debate team is 57 years old and going strong. It was Fr. Bernard Holmes who, in 1948, suggested forming a team. History professor John Lynch took on the job of coach and learned from experience. Their first (and only) tournament that year was at Saint Michael’s College.

Now, the Thomas More Debate Society spends more than 25 days a year traveling, and usually brings home prizes. Depending on the topic selected by the National Forensic Association (NFA), they present arguments on subjects such as foreign policy, criminal justice, the environment, or civil rights. This year’s topic is human rights in Southeast Asia. Each debater develops at least one affirmative argument, or "case," on a particular aspect of the topic and prepares dozens of negative briefs to refute opponents’ cases.

"It’s an enormous amount of work—easily equal to one or two extra courses per semester," says coach Dave Trumble. Team members spend at least 15 hours a week researching, writing, and practicing for tournaments.

"It takes love to stick with it," says senior Rachel Willcox, a top debater and co-captain with senior Jessica Foster. Like many, she joined the team as a freshman to prepare for law school. "It was intimidating at first. It’s very technical in its procedure and there’s a lot to learn up front. A month into it, though, I started to understand and I fell in love with it."

Freshman Dan Scholfield agrees. "It’s so enjoyable that it really pays off in the end," he says. A star debater from New Mexico, he applied to Saint Anselm in part because of the team’s reputation. "I joined over the summer and I was so excited about it, I listened to all the discussions the team had about the topic via e-mail, and attempted to contribute a slight amount myself." Even with three and half years of debate in high school, he’s amazed at how much he’s learned in the last few months. In December, he won top honors in the novice division at the tournament at Ohio State University.

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