Inventory of the Debate Team Records, 1903 - 1981 (bulk 1948-1976)
[top]Descriptive Summary
Title2,000 Items
(3 Boxes)
Administrative Information
Access RestrictionsHistorical Note
The Duke University Debate Team was formed around 1897 at Trinity College (now Duke University). The team hosted many tournaments against regional colleges and universities, and traveled to compete in regional and national events. English Professor Joseph C. Wetherby was the longtime coach of the team, from about 1947 until 1976. Wetherby was also an officer in the Speech Association of America (now the Speech Communication Association). Under Professor Wetherby's direction, the Duke University Debate Team won state, regional, and national honors.
In 1954, the Speech Association of America announced a national topic that would test Duke University's tradition of academic freedom: "Resolved: That the United States should extend diplomatic recognition to the Communist government of China." In preparation for competition, Edwin Chapman, Jr., a Duke University freshman from Newport News, Va., wrote his congressman, Representative Edward J. Robeson, Jr., requesting information on the topic. Robeson promptly replied, expressing amazement "that such a topic ... was even seriously considered by any group of persons who are normally intelligent and responsibly informed." He advised Chapman not to debate the positive position "as quotations from your statements may embarrass you for the rest of your life." Additionally, the congressman requested the names of the Debate Club faculty advisor at Duke and the members of the National Debating Council.
Shortly following that correspondence, Professor Wetherby warned his fellow coaches of possible trouble with the debate topic in the regional newsletter of Tau Kappa Alpha, the national forensic honor society. Before long, the Associated Press had reported the Duke incident along with a growing nationwide controversy. The biggest story concerned President Eisenhower being questioned about directives from the Secretaries of the Army and Navy forbidding the teams at West Point and Annapolis from debating the topic.
In support of uncensored discussion, Professor Wetherby appeared on a "See It Now" television show with Wayne C. Eubank of the University of New Mexico, President of Tau Kappa Alpha. Immediately after the program, Wetherby began receiving mostly favorable letters and telegrams from throughout the country. The president of Duke University, A. Hollis Edens, understood the significance of the issue, and did not interfere with either the student group or its faculty advisor. The Speech Association of American ultimately retained the debate topic and students participated in the national competition with no major conflicts.
Other events in team history during the 1960s include a May 1960 appearance on the nationally-televised "College Bowl." A subset of the Debate Team competed on the show, winning against Antioch College and Michigan State University. In 1964, two Duke University Debate Team members went to the Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta, Ga. to debate with prisoners on the topics of "Resolved: that the federal government should guarantee an opportunity for higher education to all qualified high school graduates." In 1966, the team won the national collegiate championship, after sixteen rounds of debates against Butler University and Vanderbilt University. Duke University also had an all-women debate team for a brief time.
The Duke University chapter of Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha, the intercollegiate forensics honor society, was established around 1916. The honor society is devoted to the ideals of public speaking and forensics excellence. Membership in the honor society allows Duke University to participate in elite competitions.
As of 2003, the Debate Team (now Duke Debate) is active at Duke University.
[top]Collection Overview
Subject Headings
- Cold War--Public opinion.
- Debates and debating--United States.
- Delta Sigma Rho --Tau Kappa Alpha--History.
- Duke University. Debate Team.
- Duke University--Students--Societies, etc.
- Duke University--Students--Political activity.
- Forensics (Public speaking)--Societies, etc.
- Freedom of speech--United States.
- Speech Communication Association.
- Tau Kappa Alpha--History.
Related Material
Joseph C. Wetherby papers.
University Archives, Duke
University.
Speaker and
Gavel [serial publication of Tau Kappa
Alpha].
Periodicals, Duke University.
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Detailed Description of the Collection
Container List:
Folder 1
Folder 11
