SpeechWire Tournament Services - Forensics Tournament Software

Virginia is for Lovers

Fall 2024 Swing

The teams from George Mason University and James Madison University cordially invite you and your students to attend the 2024 “Virginia is for Lovers” Fall Swing, October 5-6, 2024. Both tournaments will take place in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on the campus of James Madison University. However, if the need arises, the swing may embrace a hybrid model for one or both days of competition. We will offer all 11 AFA-NST events at both halves of the swing.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

We’ll use the same schedule for both days.

8:00am - 8:30am Registration (Saturday: Main lobby of Darcus Johnson Hall, Sunday only teams: Main lobby of Harrison Hall)

8:30am Extemp Draw

9:00am IA (Ext/POI/Duo/Per/Info/Pro)

10:15am IB (Imp/DI/ADS/CA/Poe)

11:30am Lunch Break

12:00pm Extemp Draw

12:30pm IIA

1:45pm IIB

3:00pm Extemp Draw

3:30pm Finals A

4:45pm Finals B

6:15pm Awards

ACCESSIBILITY AND DIETARY NEEDS

On Saturday we will be sharing campus with prospective students and their families, meaning we will not be in our typical space of Harrison Hall for most of the day. Instead, on Saturday, most of our rounds will take place in four close buildings: Darcus Johnson Hall, Roop Hall, Gabbin Hall, and Moody Hall. On Sunday, depending on size, the entire tournament will be held out of Harrison Hall. Please reach out to Mallory (marshml@jmu.edu) no later than the entry deadline with any accessibility needs or if your team has any airborne allergies that need to be taken into account prior to introducing food/other items to the tournament spaces.

“SPREAD THE LOVE”

We encourage teams who have recently seen significant budget reductions (or those which are student-run programs) to reach out so that we might find a way to make competition for all students at this swing possible.

ENTRY INFORMATION

1. There is no limit on team entries in any event.

2. Students may enter a maximum of three events per bracket; two duos count as two events.

3. The deadline for entries is Tuesday, October 1, at 5 pm Eastern.

4. Entry fees are $8 per event slot. Qualified judges cover six slots. Uncovered entries are an additional $15 per slot.

5. Each entry dropped after Wednesday, October 2, at 5 pm Eastern will incur an additional $10 penalty. Each entry dropped on Saturday and/or Sunday will incur an additional $20 penalty. Dropped judges after Wednesday, October 2, at 5 pm Eastern will incur an additional $50 penalty. Dropped judges on Saturday and/or Sunday will incur an additional $100 penalty.

6. Judges should submit electronic ranks/ratings ASAP following each round and should also provide educational written comments for each ballot prior to the respective tournament’s award ceremony.

7. To register for both tournaments included in the swing, please go to www.speechwire.com, and submit your entry separately for each half of the swing. You will receive a confirmation email detailing each tournament’s entry later in the week. Please be sure to check the entries you submitted and immediately correct any errors directly on SpeechWire.

COMPETITION AND RECOGNITION

1. Tournament directors will “spot check” ballots throughout the swing to ensure written comments are provided.

2. Both tournaments will offer 2 rounds of preliminary competition in all events and, when warranted, a final round.

3. Any event with more than 50 entries competing in both preliminary rounds will feature a semifinal round in addition to a final round.

4. We will recognize the finalists in each event, the top five individual sweeps winners, and the top five schools at each tournament.

5. The top overall speaker for both halves and the top overall team for both halves will be recognized on Sunday.

6. We will use AFA-style rules and tabulation.

We hope you will join us for what will surely be a fun and competitive event! See you in October!

Mallory Marsh

Tournament Director

James Madison University

marshml@jmu.edu

Dawn Lowry

Tournament Director

George Mason University

dlowry4@gmu.edu