2026 The Texas Escalade

The students competing at The Texas Escalade are depending on your encouragement and vital feedback at this very early tournament. We cannot have a tournament without your significant investment in judging. Parents, your service is so important and we appreciate you! Please read the information below!

Parent Judging Requirements 

Round Requirements: Parent judges are needed in every round of the tournament to maintain its integrity and ensure the tournament runs on schedule. Regardless of the number of students you have participating or the number of events they are competing in, all families are required to judge a minimum of three rounds per day. Clubs are encouraged to work together to fulfill the judging requirements for their members. 

Important Details!

• Please plan to arrive 45 minutes before every round to grab a ballot! Ballot Push is located in the lower level of Pilgrims Chapel in Sadler Hall. 

• We ask all parents to attend Judge Orientation during the 2025-2026 season before judging an event. 

• Meals may be updated until March 6th. It is a requirement to purchase the Parent meals in order to eat meals in the Judge area. 

Parent and Alumni Judging Guidelines Summary

In order to provide the best competitive environment, please read over this list of basic judge paneling guidelines. This is not an exhaustive list, but these are the big picture guidelines to be aware of before entering the tournament season. 

JUDGES MAY 

Judge students from their own state or region. 

Judge the same student in multiple speech events. 

Judge the same speech event as long as you don’t judge any student more than once within the same event. 

JUDGES MAY NOT 

Judge students from their club, their own children or relatives. 

Judge students they have coached. 

Judge the same student more than once within the same speech event. 

Judge a debate student/team more than once within each form of debate.