You may contact the NFL National Office via email at: nfl@nflonline.org or you may submit the Contact Form.
Phone: (920) 748-6206
Fax: (920) 748-9478
Office Address
National Forensic League
125 Watson Street
PO Box 38
Ripon, WI 54971
USA
The National Forensic League Executive Director
J. Scott Wunn
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 forensics coach and classroom instructor in 1993. During his 10 year coaching career, Mr. Wunn's students experienced great success including several national finalists and the 2002 national championship in humorous interpretation. Mr. Wunn is a diamond coach and a member of the Key Coach Society of the Barkley Forum for High Schools. During his current tenure as the Executive Director of the League, Mr. Wunn is most proud of the advancements the NFL has made in coach education programs, community related program development, alumni engagement, and communication and cooperation among the leadership of the League.
The National Forensic League Executive Council
William (Billy) Woods Tate, Jr.
President
William Woods Tate, Jr. began his NFL coaching career 23+ years ago at Selma HS in Alabama and is currently Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Tate has been both an outstanding coach and an inspirational leader in the National Forensic League. Mr. Tate has attended 31 National Tournaments and over 200 of his students have qualified for Nationals. He has had multiple finalists in Extemporaneous Speaking and Policy Debate. In 1999, his Policy Debate team reached the National Finals and in 2006, Mr. Tate made coaching history as two of his policy teams closed out the National Final, winning the first-ever NFL co-championship in Policy Debate. Mr. Tate’s accomplishments in coaching have been brilliant and he attributes many successes to the work of his co-coaches and assistant coaches throughout the years, but his leadership in NFL has been even more spectacular. He has served as District Chair of both Deep South and Tennessee Districts and has been a member of the National Executive Council since 1990. In 2000, he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. He has also been inducted into the Alabama and Tennessee Hall of Fame. He is also the recipient of the Pelham Commendation, the first lifetime member of the National Debate Coaches Association, a key coach at Emory University Barkley Forum, and a Founding Faulkner Fellow at the University of Mississippi. In his spare time, Mr. Tate has earned the title of Life Master in the American Contract Bridge Association. Mr. Tate has served as both Vice President and is currently serving as President of the National Forensic League.
Contact info: Montgomery Bell Academy/4001 Harding/Nashville, TN 37205/Phone: 615-269-3959
Don Crabtree
Vice President
NFL Hall of Fame and Seven Diamond coach, Don Crabtree has coached at Park Hill High School in Missouri for thirty-seven years. During this time he has distinguished himself through service to the forensic community, earning a number of awards including ten 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. Mr. Crabtree has been named the Park Hill School District Teacher of the Year and the Missouri Speech Teacher of the Year. Currently, he serves as the Vice President of the NFL Executive Council. The host of the 1983 and 1994 National Tournaments, Mr. Crabtree is gearing up to co-host the 2010 NFL National Tournament. Contact info: Park Hill High School/1909 6th Avenue/St. Joseph, MO 64505/Phone: 816-261-2661
Bro. Rene Sterner, FSC
Bro. Rene Sterner, FSC has served the forensic community since 1960 coaching teams in Pittsburg, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and returning to his own HS alma mater currently at McSherrystown, ranging from 150 to 250 members. Bro. Rene was first elected to the Council in 1978 and served as an at-large elected member until 1986. Bro. Rene has continued to serve as the school administrator presence on the board since that time. One of his tasks has been to present the case for listing the NFL National Tournament on the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ approved list of contests and activities. He hosted the NFL Nationals in Pittsburg (1961, 1972) and in Philadelphia (2005), co-ran the Speech Tab Room in the late 70’s, chaired a variety of Council Committees for new events, conducted the Council’s election of officers, and ran and organized Extemp Commentary. Bro. Rene also chaired the search for the new Executive Director, which later hired Mr. J. Scott Wunn. Bro Rene’s coaching credits include: winning the TKA trophy (now the Bruno E. Jacob trophy) in 1972, the championship in Policy Debate at the 1980 Nationals, and election to the NFL Hall of Fame in 1987. Contact info: Delone Catholic High School/140 South Oxford Avenue/McSherrystown, PA 17344/Phone: 717-637-5969
Harold C. Keller
Known commonly around the circuit as “Mr. Congress,” Harold C. Keller was the driving force behind the National Student Congress for 26 years. Harold holds the namesake behind the Harold C. Keller Public Service Leadership Award provided by the Stennis Center for Public Service. Harold was elected to the Executive Council in 1984 and has been serving continuously ever since. Harold also travels to District Tournaments and has presents programs about his experiences and knowledge on speech, debate, and Congress. Harold has taught at mutiple institutes including Ripon Institute, American University, Georgetown University, Kansas State University, Iowa Institute, Florida Forensic Institute, NFL IDEA Institute in Washington D.C., and has held workshops in Lithuania and Istanbul, Turkey. His primary goal is “working for a positive educational experience for the many students involved in NFL.” With decades of involvement in the NFL, Harold’s greatest coaching memory is earning his fifth diamond and realizing the hundreds of students that he helped in the attaining of their membership to the National Forensic League. Harold is a member of the NFL Hall of Fame. Contact info: 2035 Lillie Avenue/Davenport, IA 52804/Phone: 563-323-6693
Glenda Ferguson
A three diamond coach and a Hall of Fame member, Glenda Ferguson has coached at Macarthur HS (TX), Putnam City and Heritage Hall (OK), Creekview HS (TX), and now Coppell HS (TX). Glenda was elected to the Executive Council in 1993 and has served periodically as District Chair in North Texas Longhorns and West Oklahoma districts. Glenda brings immense experience to both her teams and the Executive Council with her insights to coach education and member services. As for her greatest coaching accomplishments, Glenda has had many students in elimination rounds including a 3rd place Policy Debate team and a top speaker. Glenda considers watching the novices win or seeing a varsity competitor overcome a problem the best memory she has in coaching. Contact info: Coppell High School/185 W. Parkway Blvd./Coppell, TX 75019/Phone: 214-496-6100
Kandi King
Kandi King, a four diamond coach from Winston Churchill HS in San Antonio, Texas, has served as both an alternate and member at-large on the Council since 1998. Kandi’s involvement with the League began in 1965, qualifying over 80 students to the National Tournament, advancing many students to elimination and final rounds, as well as 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, a position she has held for 11 years. As chair, Kandi has received Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards. Kandi was inducted into the Texas Forensic Association Hall of Fame in 2007. Contact info: San Antonio-Churchill HS/ 12049 Blanco Road/San Antonio, TX 78216/Phone: 210-442-0800, Ext. 352
Pam Cady Wycoff
Pam Cady Wycoff has been at Apple Valley High School in Minnesota for the last 18+ years, where she continues to coach and serve as the Director of Forensics. Pam has qualified students to the National Tournament every year – with 42 speakers advancing to the NFL final round. This includes the ’05 and ’06 National Champions in Original Oratory. She has served on the NFL’s LD Debate Topic Selection Committee for eight years and most recently was the Council liaison to the Public Forum and LD committees. She has served on the District Committee for 18 years and was elected to the National Executive Council in 2005. Pam's accolades include the Distinguished Service Key in 1989, the Service Plaque in 1995, and the Service Plaque 2nd Distinction in 2003. Pam was inducted into the Minnesota State High School League Hall of Fame in 2004 and the NFL Hall of Fame in 2007. Contact info: Apple Valley High School/14450 Hayes Road/Apple Valley, MN 551224-6796/Phone: 952-431-8200
Tommie Lindsey, Jr.
Tommie Lindsey, Jr., currently coaches at James Logan HS in California, with a team of over 200 individuals. Tommie Lindsey 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 Council, Tommie wants to make sure forensics gets the respect it is entitled. Tommie attends meetings, resolves conflicts on a National level, and strives to increase NFL membership. 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 NFL 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 NFL coach. Contact info: James Logan High School/1800 H Street/Union City, CA 94587/Phone: 510-471-2520 Ext. 4408
Pamela K. McComas
Pam McComas has been associated with the National Forensic League since she was a student at Shawnee Heights HS in Kansas. Pam has served as first alternate and now as an at-large member of the Executive Council. Pam’s role on the Executive Council includes regular responsibilities of attending meetings, serving on committees, and listening to NFL 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 attended 27+ National Tournaments and has coached five National Champions and has coached students to the National Tournament every year. As for the NFL, Pam is focusing on “bringing the NFL into the 21st century in utilizing technology to its fullest.” Pam serves as the District Chair of Kansas Flint-Hills. Contact info: Topeka High School/800 W. 10th/Topeka, KS 66612-1687/Phone: 785-295-3266
Timothy E. Sheaff, Alternate
Currently serving as an Alternate member on the Executive Council, Timothy Sheaff of Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, Iowa, is a two diamond coach. Mr. Sheaff is most commonly known as the “voice of NFL” as he announces all NFL main event finals and hosts the National Tournament awards ceremony. In 2005, Mr. Sheaff coached a National Champion and final round winner in Humorous Interpretation. Mr. Sheaff believes that as a member of the Council, he can help make life a little bit easier for coaches by anchoring the NFL in the same strong core principles that they believe in and give the membership the tools they need to succeed. In addition to his responsibilities on the Council, Mr. Sheaff is also serving as District Chair of West Iowa. Contact info: Dowling Catholic High School/1400 Buffalo Road/West Des Moines, IA 50265-1699/Phone: 515-222-1035
The National Forensic League Staff
Jennifer Billman
Coordinator of Public Relations and Marketing
Jennifer graduated summa cum laude with a BA in communication from Western Kentucky University, where she was a 4-year member of their forensic team and the University Honors Program. In 2007 she received a Master's degree in Communication from Western Kentucky University after completing a thesis concerning Holocaust rhetoric and memorials. At NFL, Jennifer serves as the Coordinator of Public Relations and Marketing and the Assistant Editor for Rostrum. She works heavily with all NFL promotional and publication materials as well as the NFL website. Jennifer also works with processing and organizing material for potential grants, providing any writing requests needed from the organization, and procuring new titles for NFL's Publications Clearinghouse.
Tyler Billman
Coordinator of Member Programs and Education
Tyler received his BA in Communication Studies from Bradley University, where he was a national champion in Duo Interpretation and the runner-up in Individual Sweepstakes. He has coached national champions in DI and Duo Interpretation as well as five state champions and 20 national finalists. In 2007 he received a Master's degree in Education from Western Kentucky University. Tyler has been working for NFL since 2006, first as Coordinator for the Regional Office at Western Kentucky University and now as Coordinator of Member Programs and Education at the National Office. Tyler works with the UNF People Speak Global Debates, Bickel & Brewer National Public Policy Forum, and SchoolTube, in addition to managing all coach and student education resources and advising red status District Chairs.
Heidi Christensen
Coordinator of Alumni Relations
Since 2006, Heidi Christensen has served as NFL's Coordinator of Alumni Programming. In this role, Heidi is responsible for all facets of the alumni services including membership, fundraising, and publications. In addition to her responsibilities, Heidi also conducts alumni research and development, which include correspondence, surveys, and phone-a-thons. Heidi is the primary editor for the Alumni magazine, Alumni Connection. Heidi has a BA in Communication Studies and Theatre from Ripon College. Prior to joining the NFL National Office staff, she worked with alumni on the collegiate level, developing a number of innovative programs at her alma mater.
Amy Dorman
Intern
Amy Dorman will graduate Ripon College in 2008 with a degree in Spanish and Theatre. She has competed in collegiate forensics for the past four years, breaking in Persuasion, Informative speaking, After Dinner Speaking, Communication Analysis, Poetry, Prose, DI, POI and Duo. She is also a copy editor for The College Days, a student publication at Ripon College, and a member of Ripon's ethical Leadership program, the only program of a kind in its nation. Amy serves in many areas in the office including alumni, bookkeeping, filing, shipping, merchandise, and publications. She also handles correspondence for the Academic All-American program.
Kathy Dumke
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 packng and shipping merchandise. Kathy also assists with National Junior Forensic League. Kathy is responsible for history cards and all UPS/USPS mailings. She also assists with selling merchandise at each year's NFL National Tournament. Kathy is proficient in Microsoft Office, QuickBooks, and UPS World Ship.
Chris Joffrion
Coordinator of the NFL Regional Office at WKU
Chris received a bachelor's degree in Communication Arts from Louisiana College, where he was a successful competitor on the college circuit. He went on to earn a Master's degree in Communication Studies and coach debate at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. After Texas, he accepted a debate coaching position at Western Kentucky University. Since 2007, Chris Joffrion has led a six-state region as the Coordinator of the Regional Office at Western Kentucky University. Chris focuses on recruitment, training, coach education, and membership retention for NFL programs in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Patti Kilburg
Coordinator of Customer Service and Points
Patti Kilburg has been the Customer Service and Points Coordinator since 1996. Patti is responsible for the primary communication between the NFL Office and its members, answering questions regarding the website, point applications, and other general NFL questions. Patti is also responsible for administering and processing District audits. She was instrumental in creating NFL's points site, working with programmers daily in order to create an easy system for the students and coaches to use. Patti puts this experience to work every day as she is responsible for all point site log-in accounts, point corrections and applications. She is also heavily involved in the Ripon Relay for Life and coordinates the National Office team each year, which has raised thousands of dollars for cancer research.
Cherian Koshy
Coordinator of Information Technology Services
Cherian is a former NFL participant from Apple Valley High School (MN) where he was the state champion in LD debate, an NFL qualifier in extemp, and a national finalist in Student Congress. Cherian has coached students to championships and final rounds at tournaments such as NFL and NCFL Nationals, the Tournament of Champions, the Barkley Forum, St. Mark's, and the MBA and Greenhill Round Robins. Cherian has been with NFL since 2008. Cherian’s responsibilities include oversight of the NFL website and ForensicsOnline.net, providing the National Office and all NFL members technical support, and being the National Office liaison for the Joy of Tournaments web registration and software.
Sandy Krueger
Director of Publications
Sandy Krueger has over 30 years of experience in the administration field with a strong background in bookkeeping, loan processing, training, and designing training manuals. She is proficient with a number of computer interfaces including Word, Word Perfect, PageMaker, Indesign, Excel, and Adobe. Snady joined the NFL National Office Staff in 1997 and now serves as the Director of Publications. Sandy is responsible for producing Rostrum and the National Tournament book, corresponding with advertisers for all NFL publications, updating training manuals, creating forms, updating materials on the website, helping with the Alumni magazine, and developing Hall of Fame biographies and ballots. Sandy is in charge of the script for the National Tournament awards ceremony and also provides the voice on the NFL answering service, announcing new topics as they are released.
Andrea Neitzel
Publications/Merchandise
Andrea Neitzel joined the NFL National Office staff in 2005 after obtaining previous experience in the printing and design fields. Andrea serves in the Publications department, working on production and design of the Rostrum and Alumni Connection. She is responsible for developing promotions for NFL merchandise, designing covers and advertisements for educational resources, and a overseeing a variety of design-oriented projects. Andrea is heavily involved with the NFL website, especially the Online Store. Beyond this, she also handles conceptualizing, budgeting, ordering, and selling NFL merchandise, working extensively with our distributors to ensure that NFL members receive innovative and high-quality products.
Jackie Oakes
Administrative Assistant to the Office of the Executive Director
Jackie Oakes has over 18 years of experience with the NFL, joining the staff in 1990. Since that time, she has served in almost every department in the National Office. Jackie currently serves as the main advisor to NFL 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.
Diane Rasmussen
Assistant Director of Finance, Coordinator of NJFL/Merchandise
Diane Rasmussen, Asst. Director of Finance and Coordinator of National Junior Forensic League (NJFL) and Merchandise, has over 25 years of experience with the NFL, beginning 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, including ordering and selling NFL merchandise. She also oversees programs and services for the National Junior Forensic League. As the mother of an NFL member at Ripon High School, Diane is invovled with high school forensics even beyond the office.
Christy Ross
Intern
Christy Ross is a Junior at Ripon College majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Business Administration, Leadership, and Computer Science. Christy has been an intern for NFL since 2007, and responsibilities include formatting and archiving Rostrum for its availability on the NFL website. Christy's service to the NFL is provided by a Kemper Foundation grant in web development.
Lisa Vossekuil
Coordinator of Memberships and Advanced Degrees, Office Manager for PKD
Lisa Vossekuil has been a member of te NFL National Office staff since 2003. Lisa’s responsibilities include assembling and mailing new membership certificates, membership cards, advanced degrees, affiliate and supply packets, and invoices weekly. Lisa also is responsible for figuring and entering district and National points. Additionally, Lisa is the Pi Kappa Delta Office Manager, whch involves processing memberships, sending invoices, overseeing merchandise, and other tasks as assigned by the PKD Council. In addition to her duties at the NFL, Lisa serves the community as an IV-technician for the Ripon Guardian Ambulance service.
Megan Wunn
Finance
Megan Wunn has been with NFL since 2004, when she relocated to Ripon from Iowa with her husband, NFL Executive Director Scott Wunn. Megan has an Associate's degree in from the American Institute of Business and over 16 years of esxperience in accounts payable. She serves in the finance department for the League, which involves a number of responsibilities including daily receivables, financial processing and filing, and providing financial statements to districts as well as member coaches.
Carol Zanto
Director of Finance, Office Manager of the National Office
Carol Zanto has over 38 years of experience in the NFL National Office, joining the staff in 1970. During this time she has served in nearly every department in the National Office. Carol is the Director of Finance and the National 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 NFL. In 1999, Carol was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame for her service to the League and its members.
If you need corrections to point entries, please email the NFL Office. Correction information to include can be found at: Entering NFL Points
