With roughly half the budget of competing schools, Stannard said it limits the time he has to coach the team. I hope to build enough support in the next few years that this doesn't continue to be a problem. Stannard explained the strenuous energy debaters put into preparation, which takes just as much energy as a sporting event. One of the biggest misconceptions about debate is that it is a 'club' where we meet, talk about stuff and then have donuts. He has found the best way to coach debaters is for them to learn individually.
Many coaches are very heavy-handed in their approach.
I prefer to be invitational rather than forceful. Stannard said he will teach students basic argumentative strategies and then assign them to research many areas and to share their findings with each other. Along with that facilitation comes other coaching responsibilities, Stannard said. He is also in charge of administration, planning travel to tournaments, fundraising, public relations, promoting on-campus and community debate events and assigning scholarships. We have one going to Harvard Law, and another will be visiting China next year.