Hello Friends,

 

The 2020-2021 online season presented new challenges, but we also learned about the power of innovation, especially in the arena of finding new ways to build accessibility in this activity. Last year, we were thrilled by the incredible participation in the Online Asynchronous Tournament Series or, as we affectionately call them, the OATS. We had 51 teams compete at the seven completely asynchronous tournaments. We saw alumni have the chance to participate as judges who maybe hadn’t been able to in the past. We saw students who otherwise would not have been able to participate because of work or other reasons able to compete, receive feedback, learn, and grow. Based on feedback from the participants last year, we are pleased to announce the OATS will continue for the 2021-2022 season! 

 

And now, a note from our hosts Eastern Illinois University!

------

WELCOME TO OATS 2! I’m so excited to welcome you to the 2nd OATS tournament of the season.  I’m Sara Gronstal, the Director of the Eastern Illinois University Speech Team.  I’m pumped up and pleased to have you join us for the tournament.  I know you have a lot of tournament options both online and in person, and my team is honored you’ve chosen to invest your time in the OATS series.  Thank you to the student competitors, coaches, teams, hired judges, volunteers and AMAZING OATS Staff who’ve chosen to spend their time with us  this week.  Our goal is to provide you with an educational competitive environment which is as open and accessible as possible for as many participants as we can.  In each and every speech you give or hear this week, I know you’ll be amazing.

 

Land Acknowledgement:  “We recognize and honor the land upon which we gather to share stories as part of the traditional territory of Native American peoples: the Peewaareews (Peoria), Kaahkaahkia (Kaskaskia), Peeyankihšiaki (Piankashaw), Waayaahtanwa (Wea), Myaamiaki (Miami), Mascoutin, Odawa (Ottawa), Sauk (Othâkîwa), Meshkwahkihaki (Mesquaki), Kiwikapawa (Kickapoo), Bodéwadmi (Potawatomi), Anishinaabe (Ojibwa), Mamaceqtaw (Menomonee), and Hoocąk-waaziija-hači (Winnebago) peoples.  Telling the stories of first peoples is an obligation the present owes to both the past and the future. We further wish to acknowledge the land’s sustained historical stewardship by indigenous peoples across North America and their ongoing struggles against injustice and oppression.”  One thing which struck me when reading their statement is how it highlights the power of telling the stories of first peoples.  One of the most powerful strengths of the speech community is the power speakers have to share the stories and voices of those struggling against oppression.  My life has been forever changed by performances which have brought to life stories of people who need to be heard.  As we progress through this tournament and the season, please keep sharing your own stories while being mindful of the stories and voices we have lost due to colonization, forced assimilation, and genocide.

 

TL:DR Details

-Tournaments will be fully asynchronous, including finals

-Entries and video links are due to Speechwire on Monday @ 8 p.m. CST

-Content warnings are encouraged to give adequate warning to judges/competitors

-No late adds are allowed

-OATS tournaments will utilize an honor system for judges and competitors

-Preliminary rounds will be judged from Tuesday through Thursday @ 4 p.m. CST; Final rounds will be judged from Thursday 6 p.m. through Friday @ 2 p.m. CST

-Postings will go live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. CST (or ASAP depending on ballot completion)

-All 11 categories will be offered per released AFA guidelines

-The $250 Series Fee pays for all “covered-slot” entries for all OATS tournaments

-Uncovered slots will incur an additional $10 fee

-Payments accepted by Venmo, PayPal, or by check

-The dates for video submission for the OATS include:

Mon, Oct 25

Mon, Nov 8

Mon, Dec 6

Mon, Jan 17

Mon, Feb 21

 

We continue to support the courageous students who called for asynchronous tournament options last year. We are so excited to continue to be a part of the forensic landscape for the 21-22 school year. Full information about competition and fees are listed in the full tournament invite posted to Speechwire. If you have questions or are interested in hosting, feel free to contact Julie Walker by phone (call or text 706-844-2773) or email (julie.walker@smsu.edu). 

 

Whether you attended nearly every OATS last year (we're looking at you Hastings, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and University of Illinois at Chicago, big love to you all! <3<3<3) or this would be your first time, give us a try. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Sara Gronstral

Eastern Illinois University

Director of Forensics

Tournament Host

 

Julie Walker

Southwest Minnesota State University

Assistant Director of Forensics

Series Tournament Co-Director

 

Ben Walker

Southwest Minnesota State University

Director of Forensics

Series Tournament Co-Director

 

Fully Asynchronous Tournament Week Schedule

 

Fri prior @ noon CST: LP Prompts released on Speechwire

Monday @ 8 p.m. CST: Entries and videos due to Speechwire

Monday @ 10 p.m. CST: Fees will be assessed and distributed to teams

Monday @ 10 p.m. CST: Judge dance cards go live on Speechwire

Thursday @ 4 p.m. CST: Preliminary Round judging feedback/scores due

Thursday @ 6 p.m. CST: Final Rounds are Posted on Speechwire and on the OATS Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/oatsforensics

Friday @ 2 p.m. CST: Final Round judging feedback/scores due

Friday @ 4 p.m. CST: Live awards ceremony stream on OATS Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/oatsforensics 

Friday @ Evening: Feedback released to coaches via Speechwire

 

 

Home - Order SpeechWire - Tournament results - Your account - Tournament manager