The American Debate Association in conjunction with The Julia Burke Foundation has established "The Julia Burke Award" to recognize the American Debate Association college policy debater who most closely upholds the combination of characteristics that Julia Burke displayed in her love for the activity. These qualities include excellence in and passion for debate, a commitment to helping others, love and respect for the American Debate Association policy debate community and dedication to maintaining friendships despite the pressures of competition. This award is presented annually at the American Debate Association National Championship Award Ceremony.
The award will be presented at the ADA Nationals Championship Banquet. The award will include:
Any college senior policy debater who has debated in an ADA tournament may be nominated for the award. Policy debaters, coaches, and judges are invited to nominate one individual per person in the current school year. ADA Deadline for 2020 Nominations is Friday, February 5, 2020.
Nominations should include the name and school of the nominee, the reasons for the nomination, preferably including examples and anecdotes, and the identity of the person submitting the nomination including his/her name, affiliation with the debate community (debater, coach or judge), and school affiliation. The nomination may be submitted online at:
The finalists will be determined by the Julia Burke Award Committee, composed of nationally active and present college policy debate coaches as follows:
Mrs. Adrienne F. Brovero, Director of Debate, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Mr. Michael Hall, Director of Debate, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia
Mr. John Katsulas, Director of Debate, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Ms. Samantha Godbey, Director of Debate, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
Mrs. Danielle Verney, Director of Forensics, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland