The streak of National Forensic League National Championships continued as the 1975-1976 Webster Club once again emerged victorious at nationals. In addition to the sweepstakes crown, Marquette finished with five students in the top ten in their individual categories including John Mullen’s impressive showing in both Boy’s Extemporaneous Speaking and Original Oratory.
This year, the Webster Club attended tournaments from Minneapolis to Miami and from Philadelphia to Paris, Tennessee. In both speech and debate, the team terrorized all opposition throughout the State and Country. With the help of two fine coaches, Mr. Greg Meuler and Mr. Jim Fleissner, a ‘75 grad, Mr. Copeland formed another winning team. In addition to attending tournaments, the club held two grade school tournaments and one high school tournament to help raise money. Well over a thousand dollars was netted through these projects.
—Flambeau, 1976
Roster of Students & Coaches
Coaches
Officers
Team Accomplishments
This year’s speech team was extremely successful. At the four major national tournaments—Toledo, Pittsburgh, Paris, and Miami Beach, the team won eight first place finishes, five second place finishes, and two third place finishes in just three events: Boy’s Extemp, Oratory Squad, and Dramatic Interp. Within the state, the Extemp and Oratory Squad were outstanding. Four speakers qualified for the National Speech Tournament and eight speakers qualified for the Catholic Nationals. Although Mike Mikolajczak, Donald Chrzan, and John Jarosz, the top speakers in each event, will graduate this year, next year’s team will be equally as strong. Promising freshmen and sophomore speakers ensure good years in the near future.
The debate team was no less successful this year. Each of the three senior teams did extremely well at one tournament or another. The other team of Mike Brody and Tony Cataro won Toledo, the team of Rick Sankovitz and William Treacy won Miami Beach, and the team of Tom Gobirsch and Mike Flanagan made it to the final round at the Cincinnati Princeton Tournament. All three of these teams qualified for the Catholic National Tournament held in late May. Upcoming juniors such as Mike Zanoni, Steve Illa, Tim Schally and Scott Murphy assure us a good debate team next year. Outstanding freshmen and sophomore debaters show National potential.
—Flambeau, 1976
Sweepstakes Honors
Individual Honors
National Forensic League National Qualifiers
National Tournament Locations
National Forensic League:
Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis, Indiana
National Catholic Forensic League:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
National Policy Debate Resolution
Resolved: That the United States should significantly change the method of selection of presidential and vice-presidential candidates.