I’ve never heard of Fort Hays State University before I saw the story in the news. But, unfortunately, the school is making the news because they have fired their debate coach for losing his temper at a tournament, engaging in a videotaped shouting match, and pulling down his shorts to expose his underwear.
University President Edward H. Hammond also announced last Friday that the school was immediately suspending its debate program until problems are addressed at the national level. He said it was important to take a stand against the declining standards of college debate.
I will admit that I don’t follow debate. I don’t follow it on the local, state, or national level. Who knew there was a massive decline in standards among colleges participating in debate. But, at least according to President Hammond, there is a declining standard that needs to be addressed.
The news article said that the argument between Fort Hays State debate coach William Shanahan and another coach followed a tournament match at Cross Examination Debate Association event at Wichita State University.
The debate coach has this to say about what happened: “Obviously it got out of control, but to be honest I thought I was in a safe house. I thought I was part of a community that handled its problems internally and that recognized the dangers of exposing ourselves—no pun intended—to the rest of the country.”
What? He thought he was in an environment where it was safe to moon someone else? Are there acceptable places to moon and unacceptable places where you shouldn’t moon? Is it okay to expose—pun intended—yourself in such a fashion? Especially, as you are coaching young college-aged students in debate? How did he come to that conclusion? Did he read that somewhere in the Debate Coaches Manual?
I’ve never mooned anyone—been tempted—but never have. I don’t think I’ve got a good enough “moon” to show.
So, what do you think about his behavior? Should he have been fired? Should the program have been cancelled because of his action? Am I totally out of the debate loop? If so, please feel free to enlighten me!
Standards for debate? What in the heck are those? You stand up, give your talk, he takes issue, you rebutt (pun intended) his and on and on ad infinitum, ad nauseum. I am like you...I don't watch any of that at all. Most people have their minds made up before they get to a debate anyway. Was he right? Obviously not. Should he have been fired? I am on the tail end (pun) of this story so don't know if there were other circumstances.
ReplyDeleteFired? Absolutely. His behavior was absurd.
ReplyDeleteCanceling the program? I would say no. It [firing the coach] might be an easy way for the college to kill the program and save money. I don't know a great deal about debate, but if it is anything like the debates we see politicians get into, then I can imagine that the standards have declined. Although I wonder how many college debates the university president has actually attended?
No they shouldn't have suspended the program. He should be gone and bring in someone with more integrity.
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