The Webster Club’s dominant run continued in 1972-1973 as Marquette once again won both the National Forensic League and National Catholic Forensic League National Championships. Senior Robert End won NFL Nationals in Original Oratory and the Hilltoppers laid claim to two individual NCFL Championships: David Dreis and Mark Miner were victorious in policy debate while Dean Richards took home the crown in Boy’s Extemporaneous Speaking.
The Marquette Webster Club is more than just a room in the school’s northwestern corner. It is a group of speakers and debaters who miss school on Fridays to travel all over the country, sometimes winning—like the sweep of the Pittsburgh tournament—and sometimes losing—like the Atlanta tournament (“Debate Team Loses” said the Journal). Through it all, Mr. James Copeland, as aided by Mr. Robert Hansen, S.J., and Mr. Kenneth Thames, “keeps us keepin’ on.”
—Flambeau, 1973
Roster of Students & Coaches
Coaches
Varsity Debaters
Frosh Debaters
Orators
Extempers
Drama
Officers
Team Accomplishments
May 31, June 1 and June 2, the Webster Club travelled to Chicago, Illinois for the National Catholic Forensic League’s Grand National Tournament. There, the Webster Club won its fourth straight NCFL nationals. Led in scoring by junior Matt Liedle (4th in the Nation, Original Oratory), and seniors Dean Richards (national champion, Boy’s Extemp) and the debate team of Mark Miner and David Dreis (national champions, Debate), the Webster Club outdistanced its nearest competition by 25 points.
After winning the Catholic Nationals in May, the Webster Club’s Public School Nationals squad of state champions Mark Miner and David Dreis (Debate), Dean Richards and Tom McCarthy (Boy’s Extemp), Pat Mayer and James Jansen (Debate), Bob End (Original Oratory), and Thom Riehle (Dramatic Interp) travelled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the National Forensics League national tournament. Led by juniors Pat Mayer (6th in the nation, Boy’s Extemp) and Thom Riehle (2nd in the nation, Original Oratory), and senior Bob End (national champion, Original Oratory), the Marquette High School Webster Club won its third straight national public school championship.
With Mr. James M. Copeland as coach and moderator, we can only add: “Wait ‘Til Next Year!”
—Flambeau, 1973
Sweepstakes Honors
Individual Honors
National Forensic League National Qualifiers
National Catholic Forensic League National Qualifiers - incomplete
National Tournament Locations
National Forensic League:
University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
National Catholic Forensic League:
Chicago, Illinois
National Policy Debate Resolution
Resolved: That governmental financial support for all public and secondary education in the United States be provided exclusively by the federal government.