The Sacramento State Debate Team has wrapped up another award-winning season after competing throughout California.

Each academic year, the team debates on a different topic. This year?s debate focus was foreign policy; the team questioned what type of developmental assistance should be given the greater horn of Africa.

“We use the research-based debate method, which is called CEDA?Cross Examination Debate Association. There is another form of debate, which is called parliamentary debate.

This form is more impromptu,” said David Fabionar, director of the debate team and instructor in the Communication Studies Department.

The CEDA team has won many awards. In March, the team traveled to San Luis Obispo to the district tournament and won the quarter finalist award.

“We have also won numerous speaker awards and had one quarter finalist in the CSU, Hayward tournament, as well,” Fabionar said.

This year, a member of the debate team won second place in parliamentary at the open level. “Andrea Mesple won second place in Delta College in Stockton. This is the beginner level. ” Fabionar said.

The debate team is open to anyone who has an interest in participating, he said.

“The team is open to all students. We get a lot of government and communication studies majors; A lot of the students involved want to be attorneys,” Fabionar said.

Fabionar said the team coaches and assists students who are unfamiliar with the process.

“A few years ago, everyone was brand new to the team. Now, we all help each other, as well as the new members,” Fabionar said. “We are all mentors for each other. People truly learn when they help teach other people.”

Fabionar sees the debate team focusing more on the CEDA method in the future, but doesn?t see the parliamentary debate disappearing.

“A lot of colleges are moving toward diversifying their debate styles,” Fabionar said.

During the active season, the debate team meets in Mendocino Hall Mondays and Wednesdays for approximately three hours each week.

“We try and keep the meetings flexible so students with demanding schedules will also be able to attend,” Fabionar said.

Students can receive four units upon completion of a debate season through Communication Studies 110 and 111.

Fabionar said that his staff has made a big difference throughout the course of the year.

“I would like to give credit to the assistant coaches Ron Heard, Sam Ciraulo and Jay Clarkson for being especially helpful,” said Fabionar.