www.speechanddebate.org
earlier era, Richards’s sharp repartee
Richard served with distinction
students, attending their weddings
and clever bon mots would
on the National Speech & Debate
and following their careers.
have earned him a place at the
Association Board of Directors. He
Students and friends returned his
Algonquin roundtable, no doubt
supported expansion of debate
love.
leaving Dorothy Parker speechless.
opportunities and the creation of
As an oral reader of Shakespeare,
Last spring, his former students
new debate events. Former Board
honored him with a trip back
Richard rivaled Orson Welles.
President Donus Roberts lauded
to the Emory tournament. And
Picture Richard as Falstaff or King
Richard as “an extraordinarily good
when it was announced that the
Lear, roles he read with zest.
councilor: a true advocate for
National Tournament Policy Debate
debate.”
event was to be named Richard
But it was as a debate coach that Richard found his true metier.
Richard was a superb
B. Sodikow Policy Debate, all who
Richard had many opinions, on
tournament director, and attending
knew him were overjoyed that
many subjects—and he was eager
his Bronx Science tournament
they would see Richard in June and
to argue them all, at great length.
was a must for all teams traveling
celebrate his honor with him.
Richard was born to debate, and
the national debate circuit. At
to coach debate, and he became
the National Tournament, Richard
left us suddenly, and far too soon.
America’s premier debate coach.
served as ombudsman, ruling
We would not see him again.
His Bronx Science teams were
on protests with the wisdom
The movie Life of Pi teaches us,
continually in the final rounds at
of Solomon. Richard was very
“The whole of life becomes an act
national debate events.
officious, working long hours
of letting go. . . but what always
without meals or rest.
hurts the most. . . is not taking a
But what was unique was that
Alas, it was not to be. . . Richard
Richard, unlike other great coaches,
He was also very generous.
did not use the star system. Many
When anyone admired one of the
coaches would concentrate on
elegant neckties Richard always
Stratford man sum up the life of
a few bright students. Richard
wore, like Beau Brummel, Richard
Richard B. Sodikow.
coached the largest debate
removed his tie and presented it to
program in America. The Varsity
his admirer as a gift.
team might be winning the famous
Richard had very intense feelings
moment to say goodbye.” Now, as we say goodbye, let the
Shakespeare wrote: “His life was gentle. . . and elements so mixed in him. . . that nature might stand up
Barkley Forum in Atlanta, while at
for people. He loved his mother
and say to all the world. . .‘this was
the same time, ten JV teams would
Lillian, his aunt Nettie, and his very
a man.’”
be competing in the Mid-Hudson
special nieces Sarah, Lois, Jane, and
League in New York. Richard
their extended family of grand
believed every idea was debatable
nieces and nephews.
and that everyone should have the opportunity to debate.
Richard would do anything for a friend. He doted on his former
James Copeland is Director Emeritus for the National Speech & Debate Association.
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