Coaches

Christopher DeVault is an assistant coach for the UMW debate team and is currently a graduate student in the English department of Georgetown University. As a debater, he enjoyed national success at both the high school and college levels. Debating for Caddo Magnet High School in Shreveport, LA, Chris reached the quarterfinals of the Heart of Texas Invitational (hosted by the St. Marks School of Texas), the Montgomery Bell Academy tournament, and the Tournament of Champions (hosted by the University of Kentucky), where he was named 19th speaker. As a member of Wake Forest University's debate team, Chris and his partner amassed several impressive victories over the top debaters in the country (including the national champions from Northwestern University), and reached the elimination rounds of numerous national competitions, including the National Debate Tournament and the CEDA national tournament, where Chris was named 15th speaker out of over 400 competitors. He also served on the staff of the Wake Forest summer debate workshops for four years, and was a researcher for the 2001 edition of the Debater's Research Guide. Upon attaining his Masters degree from Georgetown, Chris plans on pursuing his Ph.D. and becoming an English professor and debate coach.