ABOR Reveals 2024 Regents Cup Judges for Prestigious Award!

Regents’ Cup Celebrates Free Speech and Civil Debate

About the Competition

The Arizona Board of Regents has announced that over 40 judges will be participating in the fifth annual Regents’ Cup, a tri-university speech and debate competition designed to celebrate free speech while encouraging participants to remain civil and respectful. This year’s competition will be centered around the theme of “Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law” and will be held on March 23, 2024, at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.

Honoring Free Speech and Civil Debate

The Regents’ Cup seeks to honor participants who articulate different points of view while remaining respectful and civil. The event has attracted judges from a diverse range of industries, including elected officials, business and community leaders, journalists, and educators. Although these judges may come from different backgrounds and hold opposing viewpoints, they all share a deep respect for the First Amendment and the importance of civility when exchanging ideas.

Student Participants and Scholarships

Participating student teams from Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona are currently honing their debate skills with the guidance of expert coaches from each university. The winners of the debate and storytelling categories will be awarded scholarships of $15,000, $12,000, and $5,000 for first, second, and third place respectively. Additionally, all other team members will receive a $500 scholarship. This year’s event is being made possible thanks to the generous support of the 2024 Regents’ Cup sponsors.

Arizona Universities: Leaders in Free Speech

Arizona’s public universities are known for being exemplars in the area of free speech. In recognition of their commitment to free speech, both Arizona State University and the University of Arizona have received the highest free speech rating from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education. To get a taste of the kind of discourse that takes place at the Regents’ Cup, check out last year’s storytelling winner and Oxford debate winner.

Conclusion

With the fifth annual Regents’ Cup rapidly approaching, excitement is mounting among students, participants, and judges alike. This event serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of free speech in a democratic society while also demonstrating that it is possible to disagree passionately while remaining respectful and civil.

Originally Post From https://www.azregents.edu/news-releases/abor-announces-2024-regents-cup-judges