2025 The Prologue

• Setup:

  This status is used while the tournament is still being setup.

• Open:

  This status means tournament registration is open. Families can register for the tournament.

• Drops Only:

  This status means only registration drops are allowed. There are no new entries allowed but families can drop entries.

• Closed:

  This status means registration is currently closed for the tournament. There are no adds or drops allowed. Please contact the tournament director with any questions.

• Completed:

  This status means the tournament is completed.

Dallas Baptist University

3000 Mountain Creek Parkway

Dallas, Texas 75211

Google Maps

WiFi Network Name: STOA

WiFi Network Password: eK@hx3Hm

In order to help competitors better prepare for The Prologue, we are releasing the categories for both Apologetics and Mars Hill in advance. The categories are listed randomly and not listed in order by round.

Apologetics Categories

• Category 1
• Category 3
• Category 6

Mars Hill Categories

• Cultural Voices
• Current Film and Television (last 5 years) 
• Current Music

We recommend each team carry a copy of the Parliamentary Debate Rules. Please also be familiar with the Stoa Evidence Philosophy and Standards.

Please visit the "Helpful Links" page to access a quick link to the rules and standards.

Resolution Announcement

You must be in Pilgrim Chapel (the Parli announcement room) 10 minutes before the scheduled start time for each round.

Timing

Parli Debate will be self-timed, so please bring a working timepiece.

Internet

Should there be any unforeseen issues with the internet, you will have to rely on your brilliant Parli minds. You are free to bring Extemp boxes or hard copies of magazines to use in prep.

Storage for Expos will be located near the bottom of the stairs on the first floor of Pilgrim Chapel (near Roger's Theater) and on the opposite long hallway (follow the signs!). 

Please do not leave valuable items unattended in these areas.

Please read the The Prologue 2025 Release and Indemnification Agreement. By completing your Prologue 2025 registration, you are indicating agreement to the terms of this document.

Dress Code

During competition, students must dress in modest, professional business attire.

Gentlemen: Suit or slacks and a blazer jacket; collared shirt and tie; professional dress shoes and socks.

Ladies: Skirt or pant suit; or professional slacks, skirt, or dress with a blazer jacket; professional dress shoes. Dress/skirt hemlines and slits should be no higher than the middle of the knee. Hose not required.

Awards Ceremony: Students must attend the awards ceremony in full competition attire.

Violations: If the competitor's attire at any time during the tournament is deemed a violation of the dress code, the competitor will be asked to come into compliance before being allowed to participate.

Code of Conduct

Tournament participants will exhibit kind, polite, and respectful attitudes toward each other and behave in a manner that brings honor to God.

Conflicts that arise mid-tournament will be resolved at the sole discretion of tournament leadership. Tournament leadership has final authority in all tournament decisions.

Tournament participants will adhere to the Peacemaker’s Pledge derived from Matthew 5:23-25 and 18:15-17. This principle dictates that if an offense occurs, the offended should go directly to the offender to resolve the issue; no gossiping or discussing with another person. We seek to restore relationships. A third party may be necessary to resolve issues.

This past summer, the Stoa Board of Directors announced an important update to NITOC qualification which has been rolled out for the 2025-2026 season. The percentage of competitors at NITOC-qualifying tournaments who will receive a green checkmark is 35% in every Speech event except for Impromptu, which remains at 25%. Checkmarks for debate will be awarded to competitors who finish the tournament in the top 35% of competitors. In addition, all rounding for all events has been standardized to use mathematical rounding to the nearest whole number rather than rounding down as we have done with speech events in the past.