High School Speech students come to campus

12/03/2015 5:45 PM

On December 4 and 5, 2015, Bradley University will, once again, host the George Armstrong Heart of Illinois High School Invitational Speech Tournament. The high school speech tournament will attract over 400 high school students and coaches from seven different states. High school competitors will compete in varsity and novice divisions of 16 different speech events. The Armstrong tournament also plays host to the Jay Janssen Oratorical Contest offering orators interested in Bradley University the opportunity to compete for three scholarship prizes totaling $40,000. The contest is named in honor of the Bradley Speech Team’s greatest supporter and alumnus Jay Janssen ’59.

“Jay and Joan Janssen, both Bradley alums, continuous support of the Speech Team is the epitome of giving back. It simultaneously inspires alumni to return to the Hilltop and to judge the contest, while providing financial support for high school students to become a part of this legacy,” said Director of Forensics Ken Young ’05.

In addition to traditional speech events in the areas of limited preparation, public address, and oral interpretation, the Armstrong tournament gives students the unique opportunity to compete in Sports Broadcasting.

“The event was created by former Director of Forensics Dan Smith to help attract high school students to Bradley’s sports communication major and will continue this role in promoting the Charley Steiner School of Sports Communication,” Young continued.

The high school tournament is named after arguably the greatest collegiate director of all-time, George Armstrong. Armstrong was responsible for leading the Bradley team and laying the groundwork for its unprecedented success of winning 16 of 20 national championships in the 1980s. Armstrong’s daughter, Kim Armstrong ’80 continues to be the team’s greatest advocate and comes back to judge the tournament named in honor of her father.