SMU debaters defeat Wiley College

by Elizabeth Siebman of The Daily Mustang

With a 3 to 0 decision, the judges decided that SMU won the long-awaited debate between SMU and Wiley College. The debate fulfilled a 1935 invitation made by SMU to Wiley, a small, liberal-arts college in Marshall, Texas.

However, according to Ben Voth, SMU’s director of forensics, both teams were winners after Wednesday night’s match.

Wiley College was once noted for its debate team, led by coach Melvin B. Tolson, and was featured in the movie, The Great Debaters, directed and starred in by Denzel Washington. After filming the movie, Washington helped Wiley get its debate team on its feet again with a $1 million donation to the school.

Before the debate began, Wiley debate coach, Dr. Shannon LaBove informed the audience that she was hired after the donation and “[had not] met Denzel Washington”.

According to Voth, Wednesday’s match was a symbolic meeting and a completion of SMU’s promise. Both coaches focused on the role of debate in the educational process and the progression of moving ideas.

Deanna Vella, SMU’s debate team president stated that this debate would not be the final meeting between the schools.

“We have a good relationship with each other,” she said.

The debate argued the issue of “Guantanamo Bay” with SMU arguing the affirmative, or keeping the location, while Wiley led the opposition, or closing the location.

This debate comes after SMU’s loss to Wiley shortly after the inauguration of President Obama, which marked the 80-year mark of the Wylie debate program and comes days after Wiley’s first win at the tournament level.

SMU and Wiley have different debating techniques. Wiley practices a parliamentary style, while SMU practices a policy technique, which was used in Wednesday’s debate.

After the debate, a free showing of “The Great Debaters” was shown at the Studio Movie Grill in Plano, Texas, for students to enjoy.