[eDebate] Emporia Position - unofficial comments and an FAQ

[Ken DeLaughder]

These comments are my own and don't reflect the University.  This is my 
personal spin.

This is one of the sweetest positions I can think of, I'd stay here forever, 
but it's now or never to take my shot at law, and I'd like to try (even 
though Scott Elliot thinks I'm dumb, and Joey Boyle thinks I'll like it :) 
).  Here's my sales pitch..the good stuff.

WE WANT SOMEONE FOR THE LONG TERM - I know its not a tenure track position, 
but they would hire me until Armageddon if I would stay (they asked :) ).  
They do not want a revolving door, they want someone whom they can rehire.  
Yes, its not tenure.  They do however say they don't want to fire someone or 
they wouldn't hire them.  You can be here for awhile.  In fact, if you 
aren't planning on being here awhile, and you tell me that, I'll tell you 
not to apply. I would like to see someone stay.   It is not a reolving door 
position.  Ive been here for 7 years, I hope the next person doubles that.

STEPHEN CATT, Department head. - I've been privileged to have many good 
coaches and bosses.  Stephen Catt is the best.  He is a caring man who 
really is a great person to work for, especially for a person who wants to 
learn the ropes of bureacracy.  He always pushed me to be better, and he 
wrote a rec for me for law school that probably got me money.  I will miss 
him.  You will love him.  He loves debate and understands what stresses and 
strains you are under and has the philosophy of "I hired you to run the 
program, its yours... make the decisions", while he runs interference and 
tries to get you what you ask for, no matter what it is.  We don't always 
succeed, but we try!

THE POSITION IS FOCUSED ON DEBATE COACHING - little in the way of service 
requirements, NO research, TWO COURSES a semester.  They really want someone 
to come in here and coach debate, my kids are young, and they want to do it. 
  The department is made up of a lot of former debate coaches (including 
Heidi Hamilton, who used to be at Auggie and the NDT rep).  They care about 
policy debate.  They have a history of over 80 years of debate at the 
national level.  You can do communication too.. but you are first and 
foremost a debate coach, at least I was :) You CANNOT just administrate, you 
don't have that many coaches (one).  But you do get lots of time to coach.

THE UNIVERSITY LOVES DEBATE - the sign on the highway is getting old but 
they do love their PR.  You can sell debate as better than D II athletics.  
We say here at ESU "in debate, there is no division II." They eat it up.  
The PR people love debate, the profs love the team, its an incredibly 
supportive environment.  If I want something I pick up the phone and ask.  I 
don't always get it, but they do try.

MY DEBATERS - we've stayed in the top 30 in points with one senior and all 
first and second years.  Most of them will be back, all of them are 
learning.  They have all been supportive, and will go to the wall for you if 
you push them.  I have kids coming in from Michigan and some great Kansas 
kids.  I have CONTINUED to recruit even after resigning and just tonight 
made recruiting calls.  The debaters will be involved in the hiring process, 
and you can talk to them at CEDA as well.

ALUMNI POTENTIAL - our alumni have asked to form an Alumni Board.  An 
incoming DOF who wants to build an endowment will find this place primed.  
Steve Hunt and Scott Titsworth are willing to get folks together to lead the 
charge.  They'll do they work so you can coach and coordinate. If I was 
staying it would happen.  You can make yourself a lifetime job.

ADMINISTRATIVE HELP - Kelly Thompson has been our recruiting director and he 
has the state wired.  He wants to be a high school debate coach, and he's a 
pretty good debater as well.  Kelly is your secretary for the team, and he 
does a great job at helping administrate.  They let you bring in interns 
just for administrative stuff (the speech/drama education kids who dont 
debate LOVE to fill this job, they learn about administration, as long as 
they learn stuff) so you can have LOTS of administrative help.  You are 
responsible for paperwork, but you can get lots of student help.

THE LAPTOP :) - you get my nice laptop, all the coaches get one!  You can 
buy a new one if you want, its your budget.  You have lots of leeway in what 
you do, as long as you can show it benefits the team.  They pay is great 
here too..and the cost of living is CHEAP.

This school doesn't get all TOC folks (we get a couple here and there), we 
make debaters good.  We've gone to the left to keep up and be competitive, 
we have our own computers (I get to spend leftover money on tech), good 
facilities, good support, REAL lexis/nexis (not universe) a GOOD travel 
budget (enough to travel the national circuit) and a scholarship budget that 
can pay for lots of people to come here.  Recruiting on the Kansas circuit 
is competitive, but we always get people.

Tution at ESU is inexpensive, so our scholarship budget goes further.  We 
like to emulate the West Ga model (hats off to Hester) of how a mid major 
can compete.  I am doing the budget now for next year, and I'm sure you'll 
find it a good solid mix of regional and national tournaments.  Of course 
you can change it, and use the money how you want.

Its a program you can MAKE YOUR OWN.  I've left the cupboard full, and I am 
still working on YOUR team before you even get here to make it better.  
We're going digital, I'll keep recruiting, and I'll even help you learn the 
ropes before I dash off to become the next Johnny Cochrane.  You'll know 
everything I know before I leave - so you dont have to learn lessons the 
hard way.

If you want an opportunity, here it is.  Please apply.  Feel free to ask 
questions and talk to me.  I'll let you know

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