Hell Froze Over XXVII Swing Part 2

Registration	General information	Schematics	Files for download	Tournament schedule	Fees	Registration handbook

General information

This is a College tournament in Illinois.

View manager contact information

27th annual “Hell Froze Over” Swing

Hosted by Bradley University and the University of Texas at Austin

in Peoria, Illinois

January 17 & 18, 2026

Dear Colleagues:

We invite you to join us for the 27th annual Hell Froze Over Swing for colleges and universities, to be hosted by our two friendly forensics programs this year on the Bradley campus, January 17 and 18, 2026.

The swing will consist of two, one-day tournaments. Each tournament will offer all eleven AFA-NIET events and will follow AFA event descriptions.

We can't wait to celebrate one of our favorite times of the year with all of you! Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. 

All the best,

Andrew Eilola
Director of Forensics
Bradley University

and

Ryan Tinlin
Director of Individual Events
University of Texas at Austin

REGISTRATION:

1. Each school may enter an unlimited number of students per event.

2. Each student may enter a maximum of three events per group. Two duos count as two events.

3. Groups are as follows:

  GROUP A: ADS, DUO, EXTEMP, PERSUASION, PROSE

  GROUP B: CA, DI, IMPROMPTU, INFORMATIVE, POETRY, POI

4. Semi-Finals will be held for events containing 45 or more entries.

5. All entries should be submitted through speechwire.com. You may have your entry confirmed electronically using this registration mechanism. Entries should be submitted no later than Tuesday, January 9, at 5:00 p.m. CST.

FEES:

1. A fee of $12 will be charged for each entry slot. Addtionally, Bradley University Event Services charges $5 per student campus hosting fee. We did raise costs this year so we can pay our hired judges more and provide pizza for lunch for competitiors and juges on boths days of competition. 

2. As is usually the case in a two pattern tournament, judges will be used for most of the preliminary rounds on both days, and half of the elim rounds. As a result, each judge may cover up to eight slots entered. Judge coverage may be purchased for an additional $12 per slot.

3. Drop penalties are as follows:

·        no charge for drops up to 5:00 pm CST, Wednesday, January 14

·        $10 charge per dropped slot plus entry fee after 5:00 pm, Wednesday, January 14 until midnight Thursday, January 15

·        $25 charge per dropped slot plus entry fee and $75 charge per dropped judge plus judge fees thereafter.

PLEASE MAKE CHECKS OUT TO:

Bradley University Speech Team
1501 W Bradley Ave.
Peoria, IL 61625

Paying online via Square is available upon request. Email aeilola@bradley.edu to have an invoice emailed to you.

AWARDS:

1. Individual event awards will be presented to all finalists in each event.

2. Team Sweepstakes awards will be presented to the top five schools at each half of the Swing. In addition, a Swing Sweepstakes award will be presented to the school accumulating the most sweepstakes points at both halves of the Swing.

3. Individual Sweepstakes awards will be presented to the top five speakers of each tournament. In addition, a Swing Individual Sweepstakes award will be presented to the student accumulating the most Individual Sweepstakes points at both halves of the Swing.

4. Team and Individual Sweepstakes are calculated as follows.

·        12 pts: 1st place in final

·        10 pts: 2nd place in final

·        8 pts: 3rd place in final

·        6 pts: 4th place in final

·        4 pts: 5th place in final

·        2 pts: 6th/7th place in final

·        1 pt: non-advancing semifinalist

PROJECTED SCHEDULE (Updated 12/22/25)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17 – Bradley Portion

7:30 a.m. Registration (location TBA)

7:45 a.m. Extemp Draw (location TBA)

8:00 a.m. Round 1, Group A (ADS, DUO, EXT, PER, PRO)

9:15 a.m. Extemp Draw

9:30 a.m. Round 2, Group A

11:00 a.m Round 1, Group B (CA, DI, IMP, INF, POE, POI)

1:00 p.m. Round 2, Group B

2:45 p.m. A Finals

4:15 p.m. B Finals

ASAP Awards TBA

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18 – UT Austin Portion

7:45 a.m. Extemp Draw (location TBA)

8:00 a.m. Round 1, Group A (ADS, DUO, EXT, PER, PRO)

9:15 a.m. Extemp Draw

9:30 a.m. Round 2, Group A

11:00 a.m Round 1, Group B (CA, DI, IMP, INF, POE, POI)

1:00 p.m. Round 2, Group B

2:45 p.m. A Finals

4:15 p.m. B Finals

ASAP Awards TBA

Manager contact information

Andrew Eilola
Email address: aeilola@bradley.edu
Phone number: 2182905574

Mailing address

1501 W Bradley Ave.
Attn: Dept. of COMM - Andrew Eilola
Peoria, IL 61625