Here are your Nationals updates for this week, Coach!
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Double Check Your Registration
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The registration deadline for Nationals was May 15. All entries, fees, judges, and materials are overdue. Please double check your registration on Tabroom.com! Issues will be flagged with a red X in the "Status" column on the "General" tab and must be resolved ASAP. For detailed instructions for how to solve registration issues, visit this document.
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Meet the 2026 High School Coach of the Year
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We're thrilled to announce that Kathleen Walker has been named the 2026 High School Coach of the Year! Kathleen was selected because of her exceptional dedication to students, her ability to build strong relationships and a positive team culture, her service to the speech community, and her sustained record of excellence and competitive success. Learn more about Kathleen »
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Parking and Transportation
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Greater Richmond Convention Center » Numerous parking decks are located close to the venue.
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Altria Theater » The primary parking deck is located at 801 W Main for $13/day. In and out privileges are available upon request when exiting. Overflow parking is available at 1201 W Cary. Both decks are card only.
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Transportation » Transportation is up to each individual program. School campuses and the convention center will open for access at 7:00 a.m. daily.
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Pre-Planning » If your schedule allows, we recommend teams reference the schedule to drive to the competition venues before their first morning of competition to become familiar with the daily route and expected travel times.
- Vehicle Rental » A discount code for Hertz is available on our website.
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Assistant Coach of the Year
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We're thrilled to announce Julie Parr as the 2026 Assistant Coach of the Year!
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| Congratulations to Taylor Clapp for being named the 2026 New Coach of the Year!
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Congress Docket Now Available
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Preliminary, semifinal, and final round legislation is now available for high school and middle school. Thank you to the students who submitted legislation! Other Nationals topics including resolutions, topic areas, round themes, and prepared motions are also available.
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Extemp Topic Area Resources
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The Council on Foreign Relations put together a resource list to help students prepare for topic areas at the National Tournament. If you have extempers headed to Nationals, give the selections for USX or IX a read to improve your background knowledge.
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| Accommodation Request Process
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We are committed to providing reasonable ADA accommodations to ensure full access and participation for all individuals at the National Tournament. We encourage coaches and judges to submit requests early, including requests for wristband exemptions, to ensure timely support.
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ADA seating and expanded seating for people of size is available in the Altria Theater for final rounds. Look for signs or ask an attendant for details. An ASL interpreter will be located at stage right. Ask an attendant for priority seating near the interpreter if you need it.
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Safety and Security Reminders
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Your safety and well-being are our highest priorities. Over the past year, we’ve carefully reviewed and strengthened our safety protocols to ensure every participant feels secure and supported throughout the competition.
*NEW* Controlled Entry Points: Access to venues will be limited to designated entrances with security checkpoints for safety and monitoring. Details on entry point locations will be shared prior to the event.
*NEW* Entry Inspection at All Venues: All attendees will be required to enter through OPENGATE weapons detection system at all tournament venues and may be subject to search. Items like laptops, glasses cases, and binders must be removed from bags and handed to security before walking through the OPENGATE system.
*NEW* Wristbands Required for Entry: All participants must wear a wristband for entry into tournament venues. Wristbands are non-transferrable and cannot be removed for the duration of the tournament. They will be distributed at registration to individuals listed with your team in Tabroom. If a replacement wristband is required, the participant must present valid identification before being permitted entry into a tournament venue.
Identification Badges/Ribbons: Within tournament venues, attendees must wear identifying ribbons at all times. This includes approved observers like parents and chaperones. Ribbons are distributed during registration to individuals listed with your team in Tabroom.
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Reminder: Required Identification
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As stated in the security measures, every individual attending the tournament is required to have a wristband and a ribbon or badge indicating that they are associated with the event for entry. Schools are responsible for ensuring that all individuals attending in association with their school are informed of and understand that, throughout the tournament, all participants are expected to follow the NSDA Code of Honor, applicable school district policies, and all relevant state and federal laws. If someone is picking up registration materials on your behalf in person, they must be listed on your school's registration and assume responsibility for distributing them to the correct individuals. Please check that everyone attending with your school (including siblings, parents, etc.) is listed in Tabroom.com. Summary:
- Competitors entered in Tabroom — No additional action needed to secure a badge.
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Judges entered in Tabroom — No additional action needed to secure a badge.
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Coaches who are not judging — Additional action needed. Coaches must be entered in the General tab and toggled to On Site to secure a badge.
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All other individuals — Additional action needed. Attendees must be entered in the Attendees section of the Judging & Attendees tab in Tabroom to secure a ribbon.
Make sure you have entered everyone attending Nationals with your school on your Tabroom.com registration to avoid issues on site!
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