Based on the premise that a sport is defined as any type of intense competition, the College Sports Television cable network created a one-hour long documentary based on the 58th National Debate Tournament, which MSU won earlier this year.
With CNN news anchor Aaron Brown as the host, the film premieres on Sept. 1 and re-airs several times later in the month. Network officials said on-campus premiere parties are in the planning stages for MSU and other schools that participated.
"Through this documentary, our viewers will see that debaters exhibit the same passion and intensity and competitiveness that those in competitive basketball and football do," said Eric Handler, spokesman for College Sports Television.
The network was launched last year and airs other traditional college sports such as hockey and volleyball, as well as other non-traditional sports such as karaoke and rodeo shows. Its Web site is also affiliated with running Big Ten Web sites, such as MSU's official athletics Web site, Spartans Online.
Handler said viewers should expect a side of debate many don't realize exists.
"We had tremendous access to teams and coaches in seeing how a team prepares for a particular debate," Handler said. "The documentary delivers a lot of unexpected drama, passion, humor and heartbreak."
The country's top 78 teams went through a series of debates in April, with teams eliminated at each progressive round. Students prepared on the assigned broad topic during the school year - European relations.
"There are so many different issues (within the topic) including political ramifications and how other countries would react," said Michael Eber, MSU interim director of debate. "Some debates were on genetically modified foods. Some were on nuclear weapons policy."
MSU beat out the other teams because of its strong strategy and research not only with the topic, but with how to approach specific competitors, Eber said.
"I do think (MSU) is well known for having a strong work ethic and having a group of people super dedicated to the team, and I know other teams can say that, but it's true." Eber said. "We are hard-working and do specific research on each of our opponents."
Witnessing some team members in their high school debate days, MSU coach Will Repko said he knew MSU 2004 alumna Greta Stahl and international relations senior David Strauss had potential to win in college. Repko works at summer high school debate camps and high school competitions.
"They didn't have the opportunity of elite prep schools; they went to public schools in Michigan," Strauss said. "But I knew they were very loaded with potential. I was excited to learn they were coming to MSU."
Stahl said she didn't pay much attention to the production of the documentary because she was so intent on the competition.
"At the time, I was very caught up in the participation of the tournament and trying to win," Stahl said. "It wasn't what we were focused on. But after it was over, it was a way for us to look back on it and remember the good times."
