Hundreds of debaters from all parts of the country will arrive in Morgantown Friday, March 3, for the JV and Novice National Championship Tournament, hosted by the West Virginia University Debate Team.

WVU ’s 13-member team is sponsored by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, and has enjoyed recent success as the nation’s 30 th ranked team.

Approximately 260 debaters will be competing in the three-day tournament (March 3-5). Seven preliminary rounds will be held Friday and Saturday, with each preliminary round lasting approximately two hours.

“This will be the largest JV tournament of the year, and the largest novice tournament of the year,said Associate Professor of Political Science Neil Berch, debate team advisor.This weekend, WVU will be the center of policy debate in the United States , and that’s a reflection of the efforts of our students.”

Friday and Saturday debates will be held in Armstrong Hall, Business and Economics building, Chitwood Hall, Clark Hall (Friday only), Hodges Hall and Woodburn Hall.

An awards ceremony will be held Saturday night. Expected to attend the ceremony are the families of John Jacobsohn and Peter Borsay, former WVU Debate Team coaches whose memories are honored by the tournament. Representatives from the Eberly College and Department of Political Science will also be on hand.

Qualifiers from Friday and Saturday rounds will participate in a series of elimination rounds Sunday, culminating with the championship debates at 7 p.m. in Woodburn Hall. All debates are free and open to the campus community and the public.

For more information about the tournament, contact Berch, 304-293-3811, ext. 5290 or berchnorto@msn.com .