Each year, the Debate Society hosts the “ProAm” Invitational, a tournament which regularly draws more than 150 debaters and 25 alumni judges from across the nation. The tournament is the largest on-campus event hosted by the Debate Society, and is critical both for fundraising efforts and improving the team’s reputation in the debate league.
What are ProAms?
“ProAms” are the nickname for the tournament hosted by American University, based on the unique nature of the tournament. At the tournament, experienced (“varsity”) debaters must partner with first-year debaters (“novices”) to form the usual two-person teams. The word ProAm itself is a portmanteau of professional and amateur, representing the unique rule. The unique nature of the tournament brings more attention to the tournament and draws more debaters than most other tournaments during the year.
What do we do?
Running the tournament is one of the most important and challenging activities of each year. The Debate Society’s officers are responsible for coordinating the format of the tournament, ensuring that debates are “paired” according to league rules, and choosing judges for each debate. In addition, the AUDS provides lunch, dinner, and breakfast for both days, as well as billeting for visiting debaters overnight. The Debate Society also coordinates with AU to provide rooms for each debate. Finally, AUDS provides judges for some of the rounds, depending on how many alumni attend the tournament to judge.
Who competes?
Teams from all over the nation come to AU for the tournament. Last year, teams from George Washington, Yale, Swarthmore, William and Mary, Columbia, Princeton, and many more competed. The Debate Society does not compete at its own tournament, as that would represent a conflict of interest.
Campus Involvement
The tournament also involves many other groups on campus. In the past, the tournament has been sponsored by the University Honors Program, Queers and Allies, and other student groups who help us to feed visiting debaters. In addition, the Debate Society partners with several organizations to provide both sponsorship and advertising for the tournament’s final round, which is open to public observation.
Sponsorship
If you’re interested in sponsoring this year’s tournament, or want your organization to become involved in any way, send us an email at debate@audebate.org. We’ll figure out a way to get you involved.