Cameron O’Bannon ’05, Derek Liles ’07 and Chris Sterling ’07 prepare their arguments for a 2004 tournament.
and the exposure to world issues, debate taught me how to read and think quickly, how to research and how to develop my ability to be persuasive. I can recall my time as a member of the Jesuit Dallas team so clearly. There’s no question that it was one of the best experiences of my life.” The inherently interactive format of debate not only stimulates problem solving ability, but it places an emphasis on teaching and instruction. The relationship between coach and student is another argument for the unique educational value of debate, and one of the reasons why Jesuit’s program has been so successful over the last decade is the tremendous leadership provided by its coaches, Dan Lingel and Dr. Tracy McFarland. In meeting with various alumni, I was constantly reminded of the coaching influence, and how Dan and Tracy’s devotion to the team members as people played a defining role in the growth of the program.
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profiling the Jesuit education through reflection and re-examination, teaching to assess the advantages and disadvantages to change, evaluating values in conflict, and developing a deeper understanding of justice and fairness. It’s because of this focus that Jesuit Dallas debate has emerged as a leader in promoting the Dallas Urban Debate Alliance (DUDA). DUDA is part of a national network that helps bring urban debate leagues to schools that do not have the funds to support the endeavor. Working with over 40 schools in the Dallas Independent School District to make debate a competitive academic option, DUDA predominantly targets the low income and ethnically diverse population of DISD students who are at-risk of not graduating high school. Countless studies have enumerated the staggering change competitive debate has fueled in its participants, but it’s the anecdotal evidence and direct testimonials that provide the greatest impact.
“Our coaches were our most ardent supporters,” continued Ackels. “They showed us the importance of teamwork, prepared us for the rigorous mental commitment and were tough on us when we needed it. But they also offered the gift of perspective, and you knew that however good they were at coaching, their primary motivation was a deep and genuine passion for supporting and encouraging their students.”
“I was drawn to give back and it has been so fulfilling watching the transformation in the young members of our community,” said Derek Liles ’07, who currently works as programming director for DUDA. “Debate teaches you how to be a leader in the community and works as a tremendous supplement to the education DISD provides through an opportunity to discover skills that can’t be learned in a classroom.”
In addition to arming students with unparalleled pre-professional preparation, debate also serves as a great Ignation learning tool by promoting and
Edward Ackels ’01, who practices law at Ackels & Ackels L.L.P. – a family firm with a deep Jesuit connection, reinforced the assertion that DUDA