MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State University’s debate team and its coach took top awards at the Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) national tournament March 21.

The team brought home the first place trophy in the Select Sweepstakes division, a season-long award for schools participating in six CEDA tournaments or fewer and the national tournament. Michael Bauer, team coach and instructor in the Department of Communication Studies, received CEDA’s outstanding critic award representing the organization’s east central region.

It is the first national championship for the Ball State team and a hard-earned award, said Bauer.

"I am especially proud of this team," he said. "We had only one returning varsity person. The rest were novices but were expected to do the work load of a varsity team member. It would have been easy for these students to get frustrated and give up, but they worked hard, learned and succeeded."

The team consists of graduate student Kathy Purvis, Greenwood; Amanda McRae, a senior from Candia, N.H.; Lindsy Elkins, a senior from Peru; Donny Peters, a sophomore from Greenwood; freshman Jayne Henson, Evansville; and freshman Derrick Iliff, Lowell.

Team members spent long hours over the weekend debating a resolution to amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to create additional protections against racial and/or gender discrimination. Students received the topic in August and spent hours each week researching, writing and debating arguments.

"It means a lot to the students to be rewarded for all this hard work because it’s not often recognized," Bauer said.

He said the students receive other intangible rewards as well.

"Participating on the debate team prepares students for their careers, whatever they may be, in a number of ways," Bauer said. "Debate teaches students to think critically and gives them top-notch research skills. Debate can give them confidence in presenting and defending their arguments and the ability to communicate effectively and responsibly."