Speech and Debate is stereotypically seen as a nerdy club for students who possess big vocabularies and heavy glasses. However, De Anza’s six-member Speech and Debate Club tells a different story – one of award-winning teamwork in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

The club was founded three years ago by student Ali Mattu and former De Anza student Ajay Tallam. After soliciting support from SJSU for six months, the program looked like it would finally get off the ground with the help of Speech and Debate coach Mark Porrovecchio.

He signed on as the club’s advisor spring 2002, and the administration approved a new class with one to four possible units. Fifteen students attended the class and showed great interest in participating on a full-scale debate team. Over the summer, Porrovecchio left the club to pursue his Ph.D. in the fall. The young group collapsed and retained only a few dedicated members.

This year, Speech and Debate has worked independently without a coach and little outside funding to compete in three major tournaments, most notably bringing home the Sweepstakes Award in the Northern California Championships at Santa Clara University. Sweepstakes is a leading distinction, going to the best overall school in competition.

The road to victory is marked with hard work and creative planning. To pay for tournament fees and travel costs, the team sold $2,000 in sodas, ice cream and root beer floats at the DASB Flea Market and judged high school debates for $10 a round.

Some students find it hard to take the tiny team seriously. Mattu, who is also the club president, said “There are [prospective members] who see we’re student-run and think it’s a joke. We show them the awards and tell them, ‘Hey, we really did win these awards – we didn’t just buy them around the corner.'”

The team meets two days a week and coaches itself as best as it can. Deanna Stewart, vice president of the club, says that self-coaching is difficult and takes maturity and determination.

“The fact that we don’t really have a coach gives me real pride in the students,” Stewart said.

“I remember when I first took speech in high school, how much I depended upon my coach. Our team has some really bright and talented people, and I just think the world of them.”

After all the work, the payoff lies in competition. Each member deals with the butterflies differently, but outspoken member D.J. Reid takes a no-holds-barred approach.

“I go in strong, with the attitude that the trophy isn’t mine to win, it’s mine to lose,” Reid said. “I feel like I’m the best there, and give it my all.”

Julia Laskorunsky, club member and ICC representative, agrees with Reid.

“Competing without a coach just gives us an added incentive to be better,” says Laskorunsky. “The best feeling in the world is coming down and knowing that you’ve done really well. You can’t compare it to anything else.”

Despite the awards and the efforts of its determined members, Speech and Debate finds it hard to come home to a school that doesn’t appreciate its accomplishments.

“We go to these tournaments, we bring home trophies, we represent the school in the most positive way possible,” said Reid. “We come back, and it seems like we’re still off doing our own thing; still no support – so that’s [a] discouragement – the fact that even though we do well, there’s no pat on the back.”

Mattu concurs and holds onto the wish that the administration will see the importance of the club and help fund for an advisor and a weekly class.

“Before I joined speech and debate, my thoughts were all over the place,” Mattu says. “Through practice, I’ve learned to structure my thoughts and speak clearly.”

Reid competes in college-level debate with alacrity, but admits to entering the program a “horrible” speaker. He is a political science major who sees his experience in the club helping him in all areas of life after college. He likens speech and debate to “exercise for the mind.”

The club will lose its president in the fall, but the remaining members are confident that they can carry next year’s torch. Laskorunsky, next year’s prospective club president, urges students to join.

“You get to travel and meet a lot of smart people who you can argue with. If you’re interested, then come on by.”

INTERESTED?

The Speech and Debate Club meets every Tuesday and Thursday at 3:45 p.m. in L-61.