For those interested in competing in one of the more unique tournaments of the year, the Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions at Northwestern University, the registration form has been posted online at the TOC’s website. The Extemp TOC has existed since 2003 and offers one of the more competitive fields of the season. Last year, the top three competitors in the National Points Race: Stacey Chen, Dillon Huff, and Matt Arons fought it out in the final round. This year’s TOC is a third tier tournament in the Extemp Central National Points Race and it will award 100 points to the winner.
The tournament also boasts one of the stronger judging fields in the nation with former extempers and recognized high school and collegiate coaches evaluating extempers performances. Extempers are guaranteed six preliminary rounds and for those that do not break to elimination rounds there is a supplemental impromptu competition that they can enter.
The cost per covered entry is $125 (one judge may cover two entries) and there is a $40 entry processing fee. Extempers can look at the invitation for the tournament on the TOC”s website to see if they meet the eligibilty requirements. The deadline for registering for the tournament and paying these fees is May 7th.
If you do not meet the eligibility requirements, you can submit a bid application. The deadline for this is April 1st. The cost of a bid application is $25.
Extemp Central plans to do some live blogging from the tournament this year so those that cannot make the tournament will receive updated information about pairings/results/etc. However, it is hoped that extempers around the country plan to attend this year’s TOC.