Member of the Executive Council, Kandi King, is an involved coach. So involved in fact, she often forgets if she has eaten at a tournament. As a former high school and collegiate competitor, she has experienced the activity in several different ways. Kandi’s unique perspective on the activity helps make her a valuable member of the council.

Kandi’s first memory of the NFL, prior to becoming an Executive Council member, is her first National tournament in 1983 at Park Hill High School in Missouri. At the time, Kandi had been coaching for two years and was still learning her way around the NFL.Although Kandi competed in high school, the school was not a member of the NFL. Her first Nationals, one of Kandi’s students advanced to the final round of Boys’ Extemp. Kandi says she learned her most valuable lesson about the NFL at that tournament – “the NFL is truly for everyone, no matter how established or young the program may be.”

Kandi originally came to the Executive Council as an alternate member. Originally believing she would sit in the back and be quiet, Kandi found nothing could be further from the truth. The members of the Council made her feel welcome and encouraged her participation in every discussion. Kandi says “I left that first meeting truly knowing that the National Forensic League was in good hands because, no matter what particular state or segment of the forensic community each Council member may philosophically represent, each member cared thoughtfully and deeply about the NFL and our ENTIRE community!”

Since then, Kandi has become an integral part of the Executive Council. Kandi has a number of goals for both the League and the Council. Kandi’s first goal is to continue representing the diversity of the NFL constituency. Kandi feels that without “all the points between the two ends of the spectrum, the NFL ceases to be a true representation of the middle and high school forensics community.” Kandi also wants to bring more recognition to the “best kept secret of education” – forensics. She would love to see the coaches and students of the NFL receive all of the attention that they truly deserve. Additionally, and more specifically, Kandi wants to work with Executive Council Members Mr. Lindsey and Mrs. McComas to develop a more active and committed alumni association. With over a million alumni, the involvement of these alumnae is vital. Finally, Kandi is interested in getting more people interested in coaching so that this organization is still vibrant in another 80 years.

As a coach, the National tournament is one of the highlights of the year. Kandi fulfills a number of roles during the National tournament. She currently serves in Debate Tab where she moves back and forth between LD and CX. Also, Kandi says that during the National tournament week, her job is “to do what Scott needs me to do!!” Believing that there are too many wonderful memories to single any out, Kandi loves the camaraderie that week between coach and student, student and student, as well as coach and coach.

Kandi also finds room in her busy schedule to spend time with family and enjoy her favorite activities. Her daughter, Melissa, is the Director of Theatre at a large high school near Austin. Kandi’s son, Jay, works in the physical fitness industry. Kandi loves art museums saying, “watch me go crazy.” She also enjoys theatre, books, movies, and her plants.

Clearly, Kandi King is a busy lady. Actively coaching at Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio High School, she has a program of 250-300 new members and degrees. The energy and the thirst for knowledge of the young people she coaches is what she loves the most about her job. Kandi thanks her many mentors for instilling in her the importance of also serving the forensics community. As Kandi continues to work toward the goals she has set for the Executive Council and the League as a whole, the NFL constituency can rest assured that their voice is being heard.