Publish Date

UIS Has a Strong 2020-2021 Competitive Season

SPRINGFIELD, IL (May 17, 2021) – The UIS Speech and Debate Team had a strong 20-21 competitive season. The past year has been defined by the COVID-19 pandemic. All practices, student meetings, and tournaments were held virtually to safeguard all involved. These changes required a lot of adaptation but despite the challenges, UIS had a successful season.

In total, the team attended nine competitions this season and won seven student awards. Those awards include:

  • Lisette Cortes-Benitez – 2nd Place Novice Informative – Sharknado Invitational
  • Sarah Burris – 3rd Place Poetry – OATS Tournament #1
  • Sarah Burris – 3rd Place POI – OATS Tournament #1
  • Sarah Burris – 4th Place Poetry – Mustang Invitational
  • Sarah Burris – 5th Place Poetry – Sharknado Invitational
  • Sarah Burris – 6th Place Poetry – BGSU Cyber Falcon
  • Lisette Cortes-Benitez – 7th Place Informative – OATS Tournament #1

This season also saw the team increase in membership, hold multiple recruiting events, host a pre-debate discussion for a presidential debate, and launch the speech and debate scholarship. “Even though we were challenged by COVID, the team continued to grow and develop” said director Timothy Bill. “We are well positioned to take off this next season.”

University of Illinois Springfield Speech and Debate Team is committed to training the next generation of civic leaders, public speakers, and communicators who are passionate about effecting change in their communities. Students who are interested in joining the team should reach out to the coach Timothy Bill (tbill2@uis.edu) or check out the team website at Speech and Debate site.