| Contact Online E-mail: nfl@nflonline.org Phone: (920) 748-6206 Fax: (920) 748-9478 | National Forensic League 125 Watson Street PO Box 38 Ripon, WI 54971-0038 USA |
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 two-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.
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 Board of Directors 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.
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 twelve 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 Board of Directors. The host of the 1983 and 1994 National Tournaments, Mr. Crabtree is gearing up to co-host the 2010 NFL National Tournament.
Park Hill High School
1909 6th Avenue
St. Joseph, MO 64505
Phone: 816-261-2661
Brother Kevin M. Dalmasse, FSC
Brother Kevin M. Dalmasse, FSC is the Director of Education for a national network of nearly 100 schools associated with the De La Salle Christian Brothers and is based at Christian Brothers Conference in Washington, DC. A diamond coach, Brother Kevin has 32 years of coaching experience between La Salle College HS (Philadelphia, PA) and Calvert Hall College HS (Baltimore, MD). He has qualified dozens of students to the National Tournament, including the 1980 national championship team in Policy Debate and a semi-finalist team in 1981, and has taught at the Northwestern University and University of Iowa summer institutes. His vision for the NFL is to advance the mission of the NFL 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.
Christian Brothers Conference
3025 Fourth Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017
Phone: (202) 529-0047
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 is the namesake behind the Harold C. Keller Public Service Leadership Award provided by the Stennis Center for Public Service. Harold was elected to the Board of Directors 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.
2035 Lillie Avenue
Davenport, IA 52804
Phone: 563-323-6693
Kandi King
Kandi King, a five-diamond coach from Winston Churchill HS in San Antonio, Texas, has served on the NFL Board of Directors 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 and the National Forensic League Hall of Fame in 2008.
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, ’06, and '09 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 Board of Directors 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.
Apple Valley High School
14450 Hayes Road
Apple Valley, MN 55124-6797
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.
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 Board of Directors. Pam’s role on the Board of Directors 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 and is a six-diamond coach.
Topeka High School
800 W. 10th
Topeka, KS 66612-1687
Phone: 785-295-3266
Timothy E. Sheaff
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.
Dowling Catholic High School
1400 Buffalo Road
West Des Moines, IA 50265-1699
Phone: 515-222-1035
Christopher L. McDonald-Alternate
Currently serving as board alternate, Chris McDonald is a 2-diamond coach with over 20 years of forensic coaching experience. For the past 7 years Chris has been the Director of Debate Activities at Eagan High School. Prior to that Chris was a debate and speech coach at Bloomington Jefferson High School for 13 years. In 1997 Chris helped host the “Star of the North” NFL National Tournament. Chris has coached 6 NFL National finalists in Extemporaneous Speaking with 3 NFL National Champions and 2 National Runner-Ups. Chris has been a member of the Southern Minnesota NFL Committee for the past 10 years and has served as the District Chair for the past 3 years.
Eagan High School
4185 Braddock Trail
Eagan, MN 55123-1575
Phone: 651-683-6900
Jenny Corum Billman
Coordinator of Public Relations
Jenny holds a Master's degree in Communication from Western Kentucky University, where she was named the Outstanding Communication graduate student (2007). Prior to this, she graduated summa cum laude with a BA in communication from Western Kentucky University and competed as a 4-year member of the WKU forensic team, earning distinction as the Top Speaker in Lincoln-Douglas debate at the 2005 NFA National Tournament. At the NFL, Jenny serves as the Coordinator of Public Relations, Editor of the NFL Alumni Magazine, and Assistant Editor of Rostrum magazine. She works heavily with all NFL promotional and publication materials as well as the NFL Web site. Jenny also provides written requests from the organization, updates the NFL newsflash, and secures new titles for NFL's Publications Clearinghouse.
Amy Dorman
Development and Alumni Relations
Amy Dorman graduated magna cum laude from Ripon College in 2008 with degrees in Spanish and Theatre. She competed in forensics for 11 years and was a collegiate National Quarterfinalist in Rhetorical Criticism and Dramatic Interpretation. Amy now serves as the Assistant Coach of Forensics at Ripon College. At the NFL, Amy handles all alumni coorespondence, as well as manages the Professional Development Accreditations and writes for the Alumni Magazine and the Rostrum. Amy also researches the NFL's prominent alumni and creates features about them for the Web site newsflash.
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 packing 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.
Adam Jacobi
Coordinator of Member Programs and Coach Education
Previously a two-diamond coach of three NFL national champions at his alma mater, Rufus King High School (WI), Mr. Jacobi graduated with his BS 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 NFL District, and for Congress at the National Debate Tournament of Champions (TOC). He was a consulting educator for the NFL/US State Department’s International Debate Exchange Program, has taught Congress at the Florida Forensic Institute, and wrote the textbook, Student Congress Debate. Jacobi also has served on the Board of Directors of the professional theatre company, Milwaukee Shakespeare. At NFL, he connects new coaches with mentors, manages coach professional development programs, assists district chairs with growth strategies, develops and evaluates curricular materials, coordinates middle school programs (NJFL), and serves as liaison to outreach initiatives such as International Public Policy Forum and The People Speak.
Patti Kilburg
Memberships and Advanced Degrees
Patti Kilburg has been serving members of the NFL since 1996. Currently, Patti’s responsibilities include assembling and mailing new membership certificates, membership cards, advanced degrees, affiliate and supply packets, and invoices weekly. She also is responsible for calculating and entering district and National points. Patti 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. 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 an NFL alumnus from Apple Valley High School (MN) where he was the State Champion in LD debate, Central Minnesota District Champion in extemp, 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, as well as 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. Prior to joining the League, Cherian was involved in a variety of occupations including the State Director of the Toxics Action Center in Connecticut and the Fund for Public Interest Research Minneapolis office, campaign manager for several state and federal political campaigns in Minnesota, an Emergency Medical Technician, as well as an officiant for two NFL coaches' weddings. Cherian has been with NFL since 2008 where his responsibilities include directing and managing information technology strategic plans, policies and programs for the administration of the National Office services, district tournament contests, website communications, and management of information services to accomplish NFL goals and objectives.
Sandy Krueger
Coordinator 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. Sandy 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
Coordinator of Sales and Merchandise
Andrea Neitzel joined the NFL 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 NFL DVD's/CD's. She also develops promotions for NFL merchandise and is heavily involved with the NFL Online Store. Andrea works 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 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 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.
Vicki Pape
Coordinator of Graphic Design and Marketing
Vicki Pape graduated summa cum laude from Ripon College in 2000, 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 forensics team and still holds the team record for most events taken to nationals (8).
Vicki has over nine years of experience with graphic design and marketing. At the NFL, Vicki is in charge of design elements concerning all publications, materials, and correspondence. In this role, she works extensively with Rostrum and the Alumni magazine.
In addition to her work with the NFL, Vicki assists with the Ripon College forensics team. She is also an active community member, having recently finished a 3-year term on the Ripon Area United Way Board, where she served as President in 2007-08, and as Past-President & Secretary in 2008-09. She is currently serving as Vice President for the Ripon Public Library Board of Trustees and has been on the board since 2006.
Diane Rasmussen
Assistant Director of Finance
Diane Rasmussen, Asst. 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 an NFL alumnus from Ripon High School, Diane is involved with high school forensics even beyond the office.
Bethany Rusch
Director of Development
Bethany Rusch holds a Masters of Social Work with an Administration/Management concentrate from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree, Summa Cum Laude, from Marian College of Fond du Lac in 2001. She Bethany brings 10 years of non-profit management and fund development experience to her role as Director of Development for the National Forensic League. Rusch previously served as Executive Director of the Family Resource Center of Fond du Lac County, Inc., where she chaired several community-wide committees in addition to designing innovative programs and grant partnerships for the organization. At the League, Bethany serves to fulfill the strategic vision through funding initiatives that engage our successful alumni, coaches, and leaders. She is further dedicating her efforts to enhance grant support that strengthens NFL’s programming efforts, in addition to building a strong organizational structure for continued development efforts.
Lisa Vossekuil
Customer Service and Points, Office Manager for PKD
Lisa Vossekuil has been a member of the NFL National Office staff since 2003. As the Coordinator of Customer Service and Points, Lisa is responsible for the primary communication between the NFL Office and its members, answering questions regarding the Web site, point applications, and other general NFL 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 duties at the NFL, Lisa serves the community as an IV-technician for the Ripon Guardian Ambulance service.
Carol Zanto
Director of Finance, Office Manager of the National Office
Carol Zanto has over 40 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: Recording NFL Points
