Coach of the Year

The MDTA Coach of the Year Award was established in 1982 to recognize coaches who:

1. Have succeeded in cultivating a well-balanced debate program which serves a variety of students at all levels of competition;
2. Have developed a stable debate program that has remained vital over a period of years;
3. Have promoted admirable qualities in the students who participate in debate; and
4. Have done a fine job of preparing students for competition.

This award is presented annually. Nominations are made via a ballot in the MDTA newsletter. Nominations, accompanied by a written rationale, are sent to an Awards Committee, appointed by the President, for review. A ballot containing no more than three names is sent to the membership for vote. The recipient is recognized at the state debate tournament with an appropriate plaque. A coach may receive the award more than once, but not within a five-year period. Barbara Kersten, former coach at Roseville High School, received the Coach of the Year Award twice, in 1986 and in 1992.