Executive Director
Executive Director
J. Scott Wunn has been the Executive Director of the National Forensic League since 2003. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Graceland University in 1993 and his Master's Degree in Communication Studies from the University of Northern Iowa in 1999. He began his career with the National Forensic League as a forensic coach and classroom instructor in 1993. During his 10 year coaching career, Scott's students experienced great success including several national finalists and the 2002 national championship in Humorous Interpretation. Scott is a two-diamond coach and a member of the Key Coach Society of the Barkley Forum for High Schools. During his current tenure as Executive Director, Scott is most proud of the advancements the National Forensic League has made in coach education programs, community related program development, and communication and cooperation among the leadership of the League.
Board of Directors
President
A League Hall of Fame member and eight-diamond coach, Don Crabtree began coaching in 1971 and currently coaches at Park Hill High School in Missouri. During this time, he has established himself through service to the forensic community, earning a number of awards including 15 Distinguished Service plaques, the Ralph Carey Distinguished Career Service Award, the Missouri State High School Activities Association Award for Distinguished Service, and the National Federation Award for Career Service. Don has been named the Park Hill School District Teacher of the Year and the Missouri Speech Teacher of the Year. He served as host of the 1983, 1994, and 2010 National Tournaments. Currently, he serves as President of the Board of Directors.
Park Hill High School
1909 6th Avenue
St. Joseph, MO 64505
Phone: (816) 261-2661
Vice President
Pam Cady Wycoff began coaching in 1982, and she continues to coach and serve as the Director of Forensics at Apple Valley High School in Minnesota. Pam has qualified students to the National Tournament every year since her career began, with dozens of speakers advancing to the final round. This includes the '05, '06, '09, and '11 national champions in Original Oratory. She has served on the League's Lincoln-Douglas Debate Topic Selection Committee since 2002 and most recently was the Board liaison to the Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas, and Interpretation committees. She has served on the District Committee since 1992 and was elected to the National Board of Directors in 2005. Pam's accolades include the Distinguished Service Key in 1989, the Service Plaque in 1995, and the Service Plaque Second Distinction in 2003. Pam was inducted into the Minnesota State High School League Hall of Fame in 2004 and the National Forensic League Hall of Fame in 2007.
Apple Valley High School
14450 Hayes Road
Apple Valley, MN 55124-6797
Phone: (952) 431-8200
Brother Kevin M. Dalmasse, FSC has coached students since 1977, and currently coaches at Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School in Pennsylvania. He has qualified dozens of students to the National Tournament, including the 1980 national championship team in Policy Debate and a semifinalist team in 1981, and has taught at the Northwestern University and University of Iowa summer institutes. His vision for the League is to advance our mission as the nation’s premier debate and speech honor society for high school students, particularly through the promotion of the educational values of interscholastic competition and community service.
Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School
4720 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2952
Phone: (215) 514-2859
Kandi King, a five-diamond coach from Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio, Texas, has served on the Board of Directors since 1998. Kandi’s involvement with the League began in 1965, and since then, she has qualified more than 80 students to the National Tournament, advancing many students to elimination and final rounds. She has also coached a Policy Debate Top Speaker. Kandi's accolades include the Bruno E. Jacob award (2004), the Albert Odom award (2004), Barkley Forum Key Coach, UIL Denius Sponsor Excellence award, the National Federation of State High School Association Outstanding Speech Educator (1993), and Texas Speech Teacher of the Year (1992). Kandi is the District Chair of Central Texas, and she has received Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards for her leadership efforts in this role. Kandi was inducted into the Texas Forensic Association Hall of Fame in 2007 and the National Forensic League Hall of Fame in 2008.
Winston Churchill High School
12049 Blanco Road
San Antonio, TX 78216
Phone: (210) 442-0800, Ext. 352
Tommie Lindsey, Jr., currently coaches at James Logan High School in California, with a team of more than 200 individuals. Tommie graduated from the University of San Francisco with a major in Communication Arts and Social Science. He was the first African-American to be valedictorian at USF. As a member of the Board, Tommie wants to make sure forensics gets the respect it is entitled. While running a nationally prominent team that has currently nine national champions (including the Duo championship in both 2006 and 2007 and the Humorous Interp champion in 2007), Tommie and the James Logan team is the first school in League history to have won a School of Excellence award for ten straight years. Tommie is the co-author of the book, It Doesn’t Take a Genius, and was featured (along with his team) in the award winning documentary, Accidental Hero: Room 408. Tommie has also been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show as part of her Angel Network. In 2004, Tommie was inducted into the MacArthur Fellows Program, a grant given to individuals who show exceptional merit and promise for continued and enhanced creative work. Tommie is a four-diamond coach.
James Logan High School
1800 H Street
Union City, CA 94587
Phone: (510) 471-2520, Ext. 4408
Pamela K. McComas has been associated with the National Forensic League since she was a student at Shawnee Heights High School in Kansas. Pam has served as first alternate and now as an at-large member of the Board of Directors. Pam's role on the Board includes regular responsibilities of attending meetings, serving on committees, and listening to members' needs and wants for the League; as well as National Tournament responsibilities, which often include serving in a tab room. In fact, Pam has served in Supplemental tab, Lincoln-Douglas tab, Policy Debate tab, and Speech tab. Pam has coached five national champions and has coached students to the National Tournament every year since her career began, including five national champions. As for the League, Pam is focusing on "bringing the League into the 21st century in utilizing technology to its fullest." Pam serves as the District Chair of Kansas Flint-Hills and is a six-diamond coach.
Topeka High School
800 W. 10th
Topeka, KS 66612-1687
Phone: (785) 295-3226
Timothy E. Sheaff of Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, Iowa, is a three-diamond coach. Tim is most commonly known as the "voice of the League" as he announces all main event finals and emcees the National Tournament awards ceremony. In 2005, he coached a national champion and final round winner in Humorous Interpretation. He believes that as a member of the Board, he can help make life a little bit easier for coaches by anchoring the League in the same strong core principles in which they believe and giving the membership the tools they need to succeed. In addition to his responsibilities on the Board, Tim has also served as the District Chair of West Iowa.
Dowling Catholic High School
1400 Buffalo Road
West Des Moines, IA 50265-1699
Phone: (515) 222-1035
David Huston is an Emory University/Barkley Forum Key Coach and a member of the Texas Forensic Association Hall of Fame. A four-time recipient of the League's Distinguished Service Award, he has served as a district chair in three different districts (West Iowa, Lone Star, and Longhorn Districts) and as the Policy Debate Tab Chair at the National Tournament. Additionally, Dave has served as tabulation staff/director for several local, regional, and national tournaments including the Glenbrooks, University of Texas Austin, University of California Berkeley, Texas Forensic Association State Tournament, and the Tournament of Champions. He also served as president of both the IHSFL and FISO while still in Iowa. Dave has coached more than 25 qualifiers for the National Tournament, including the 1999 Lincoln-Douglas Debate national champion and the 2008 Policy Debate National Champion. He received the inaugural Ted Belch Coach Award in 2008. He is a three-diamond coach.
Colleyville Heritage High School
5401 Heritage Ave
Colleyville, TX 76034-0000
Phone: (817) 305-4700
Steven Schappaugh, a two-diamond coach from University School in Florida, was elected to the Board of Directors in 2012. In addition to his responsibilities on the Board, Steven also serves as district chair of the Florida Manatee district, an LD Rules and Recommendations Committee member, National Forensic League tabulation staff member, and school administrator. He enjoys collaborating with coaches to find appropriate solutions to meet the challenges of the League. Steven feels that speech and debate transformed his life and is excited to serve on the Board of Directors to demonstrate his gratitude and continue to work to change the lives of students across the country.
University School Epstein Center for the Arts
3375 SW 75th Ave
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314-0000
Phone: (954) 262-4409
Jay Rye first became involved with the League as a high school competitor in 1985, and has served as the Director of Forensics at The Montgomery Academy in Montgomery, Alabama, since 1991. As a competitor for and graduate of the University of Alabama, Jay was the recipient of the 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award from Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha, the collegiate honor society for speech education. As a four-diamond coach, he was elected District Chair of the Deep South District in 1999 and has received the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards as well as being named District Chair of the Year in 2009. In 2007 he was elected a Key Coach of the Barkley Forum at Emory University in Georgia and in 2009 was the recipient of the Bronx Achievement Award by the Bronx School of Science in New York. Jay has coached 135 individual state champions along with 119 National Forensic League qualifiers in all events, including the 2006 National Champion in Dramatic Interpretation. Jay was the Chair of the Host Committee for the 2009 National Forensic League National Tournament and will serve in that same capacity for the 2013 National Forensic League National Tournament.
The Montgomery Academy
3240 Vaughn Rd
Montgomery, AL 36106
Phone: (334) 272-8210
National Office Staff
Director of Finance, Office Manager of the National Office
Carol Zanto has been a fixture in the National Forensic League national office since 1970. During this time she has served in nearly every department. Carol is the Director of Finance and the Office Manager. She handles all financial statements for the League and is responsible for payments and receivables, tax work, audits, and sponsorship transactions. She also oversees diamond awards, human resources and insurance, charter renewals, and processing of school payments. Beyond her individual responsibilities, Carol manages all financial and membership departments at League. In 1999, Carol was inducted into the National Forensic League Hall of Fame for her service to the League and its members. She received the League’s Brother Gregory “Rene’” Sterner Lifetime Service Award in 2011.
Director of Development
Cherian is a National Forensic League alumnus from Apple Valley High School (MN), where he was the State Champion in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Central Minnesota District Champion in Extemporaneous Speaking, and a National Finalist in Student Congress. Cherian has coached extempers as well as LD and congressional debaters to championships and final round appearances at NFL and NCFL Nationals, including the only two-time champion of the Tournament of Champions. His students have also won the Barkley Forum, St. Mark's, and the MBA, University of Iowa, and Greenhill Round Robins. He is the co-author of An Introduction to Lincoln-Douglas Debate. Cherian joined the League in 2007. He directs the League's fundraising efforts, focusing special attention on annual general operating funds and major donors, as well as managing all grants and sponsorships while serving as the Assistant National Tournament Director. He also is responsible for the strategic direction of membership and fundraising through integrating program goals, membership mobilization, and fundraising.
Director of Communications
Vicki Pape graduated summa cum laude from Ripon College in Wisconsin, where she double-majored in Speech Communication and Studio Art. In addition to being a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Lambda Pi Eta, she competed with the Ripon College forensic team and later served as an assistant coach. Vicki has more than ten years of experience with graphic design and marketing. At the National Forensic League, Vicki oversees the Communications department. She is also in charge of design elements concerning all publications, materials, and correspondence, and works extensively with Rostrum as Assistant Editor. In addition to her work with the League, Vicki is an active community member. She was on the Ripon Area United Way Board for three years, where she served as President in 2007-08, and as Past-President and Secretary in 2008-09. She is currently the Vice Chair for the Ripon Public Library Board of Trustees and has been on the board since 2006. She joined the Ripon Rotary Club in 2009.
Director of Programs and Education
Adam Nelson is both a one-diamond coach, having directed programs in Ohio, Arizona, California, and Taiwan, and a League alum from Rocky River High School (OH). He has served as District Chair of both the California Coast and Pacific Islands districts and as a member of the Arizona Interscholastic Association's Speech & Debate Advisory Committee. He is also a recipient of the National Forensic League Distinguished Service Key, having served both on the LD Topic Wording Committee and in the LD tab room at the National Tournament. He earned his B.A. from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and his J.D. from the University of Arizona. His responsibilities at the League include overseeing the League's programming and education efforts, such as domestic curriculum development and the creation of the resources available on our website.
Director of Membership
Matt Delzer joined the national office in 2012. He earned his B.A. in Speech Communication from Northern State University and a Master of Science Degree in Communication Studies and Journalism from South Dakota State University. Matt has a long history with forensics, starting as a middle school contestant and continuing through high school and college. Matt has also coached teams at both the high school and collegiate levels. His responsibilities at the League include new coach outreach and recruitment initiatives.
Web Content and Social Media Coordinator
Arthur Bratton joined the national office in 2012. After graduating from Ripon College with a degree in Business Administration, he worked for a small video production company and gained experience working with traditional and social media. His responsibilities include updating the League's website and creating and implementing creative social media marketing plans.
Merchandise/Invoicing/Mailings
Kathy Dumke has been with the National Forensic League national office since 1999. A native Wisconsinite, she has extensive experience with activities in the league including processing online memberships, coordinating membership certificates and invoices, handling requests for replacement certificates, copying audio and video tapes for the league, and packing and shipping merchandise. Kathy is responsible for history cards and all UPS/USPS shipments. Kathy is proficient in Microsoft Office, QuickBooks, and UPS World Ship.
Graphic Design and Publications Assistant
Emily Hoffman joined the national office in 2010. She graduated from Ripon College where she double-majored in History and Studio Art, gained experience in business management, and dabbled in freelance illustration. Her responsibilities include design projects, marketing initiatives, league research requests, and other inter-departmental projects.
Middle School Coordinator, International Liaison, Congressional Debate Liaison
Two-diamond coach of three National Forensic League national champions at his alma mater, Rufus King High School (WI), Adam J. Jacobi graduated with his B.S. in Communication from Carroll University. Winner of the Wisconsin Forensic Coaches' Association (WFCA) 2006 Coaching Excellence Award, he sat on the executive committees of the WFCA, Wisconsin Debate Coaches’ Association (president, 2006-2007), Southern Wisconsin National Forensic League District, and for Congress at the National Debate Tournament of Champions (TOC). He was a consulting educator for the NFL/U.S. State Department’s International Debate Exchange Program, has taught Congress at the Florida Forensic Institute and Harvard Debate Institutes, and wrote the textbook, Student Congress Debate. At the League, he oversees middle school/NJFL membership services, resources, and growth strategies. Adam is an adjunct faculty member in communication and assistant forensic coach at Ripon College. He also has served on the board of directors of the Wisconsin Communication Association, Ripon Rotary Club, and the professional theatre company, Milwaukee Shakespeare.
Memberships and Advanced Degrees
Karen McHale began her work with the National Forensic League in January 2009 as a calligrapher for student, coach, and school certificates. Today, Karen’s job responsibilities include assisting with membership reports, proofreading certificates, processing new student and coach degree seals, and distributing materials including new membership cards, invoices, and certificates. In addition, Karen oversees obtaining replacement certificates and assembling coaching kits for new schools.
Sales and Merchandise
Andrea Neitzel joined the National Forensic League national office staff in 2005 after obtaining previous experience in the printing and design fields. In her current role, Andrea is responsible for all merchandise sales, shipping and mailing, and production/duplication of all League DVDs/CDs. She also develops promotions for League merchandise and is heavily involved with the League Online Store. Andrea works extensively with distributors to ensure that League members receive innovative and high-quality products. In addition, Andrea holds an Associate Degree in Marketing from Fox Valley Technical College.
Administrative Assistant to the Office of the Executive Director
Jackie Oakes joined the staff in 1990, and she has served in almost every department in the national office since that time. Jackie currently serves as the main advisor to National Forensic League District Chairs, handling the processing and questions regarding the District and National Tournaments. Jackie is also responsible for administering and processing District audits, ensuring that every student's scores are entered correctly. Jackie also serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director, handling his schedule and running a number of reports. Jackie has an Associate's degree in office systems and proficiency in all Microsoft Office software.
Finance
Diane Rasmussen, Assistant Director of Finance, began her career with the League in 1982. Diane has a degree in computer science and is proficient in a number of computer applications including Microsoft Office, PageMaker, QuickBooks, UPS World Ship, and Dazzle Express. Diane’s responsibilities include assisting all financial aspects of the League. As the mother of a National Forensic League alumnus from Ripon High School, Diane is involved with high school forensics even beyond the office.
Customer Service Coordinator, NJFL Member Services, Office Manager for Pi Kappa Delta
Lisa Vossekuil has been a member of the National Forensic League national office staff since 2003. As the Customer Service Coordinator, Lisa is responsible for the primary communication between the League office and its members, answering questions regarding the website, point applications, and other general questions. She is also responsible for administering and processing District audits. Additionally, Lisa is the Pi Kappa Delta Office Manager, which involves processing memberships, sending invoices, overseeing merchandise, and other tasks as assigned by the PKD Council. In addition to her work with the League, Lisa serves the community as an IV-technician for the Ripon Guardian Ambulance Service.
Manager of Advancement and Community Relations
Emily Wallace joined the National Forensic League as Development Manager in 2012. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University in 2005 and her Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law in 2010. She established her development career at two education-related nonprofits in New York City. As a high school student in Topeka, Kansas, Emily was an enthusiastic participant in Policy and Lincoln-Douglas Debate, and she is a proud alumna of the League’s honor society. She is excited about the growth of the National Forensic League and aims to help support the continued expansion of the League’s programming.