Martinez
Securing the win for the ‘Canes were Ali Jessani, 19, a sophomore majoring in communication studies and political science, and Ryden Butler, 20, a sophomore majoring in political science, history and economics.
The debate team is sponsored by UM School of Communication and directed by Communication Studies Professor David L. Steinberg with the help of coaches/graduate assistants Randall Martinez and Joe Graziano.
The topic of the final debate was “The U.S. Federal government should better fund colleges and universities.” Jessani and Butler defended this statement by defining “better funding” as allocating current funding to support beneficial programs rather than harmful ones. They clinched the victory over Valdosta State University.
Jessani and Butler were both inducted into Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha, the most prestigious national forensics honorary, for their excellence in intercollegiate debate competition and their outstanding academic achievements.
Five UM teams competed in the tournament, and three advanced to the quarterfinals. Matt De La Fe, a junior majoring in political science, and Adir Paner, a senior majoring in psychology and business law, performed well in the quarterfinals but lost in a split decision. Renee Reneau, a freshman majoring in public relations and political science, and Michael Fuentes, a freshman majoring in accounting, advanced to the semifinals.
UM previously won the Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha national championship tournament in 1996.
