The National Speech & Debate Association recently honored Dr. DeeDee Sullivan, Bellarmine faculty member, with her third Diamond Coach Award. The award recognizes a career that combines excellence and longevity in speech and debate education.
To earn the award, coaches must be a member of the National Speech & Debate Association for at least five years. They can earn points through team participation, student achievement, public service, and leadership work. A coach is awarded their first Diamond Award at 15,000 points, with the second coming at 30,000 points and the third at 60,000 points. Five years must pass between each award. As one of the most prestigious awards a coach can earn, this honor is a testament to the extraordinary work that she has done with our students over the years. Dr. Sullivan will be honored at the National Speech & Debate Tournament later this year.
“This is a well-deserved award for one of the hardest working coaches in the entire country,” noted Aaron Langerman ’11, Bellarmine’s head speech and debate coach. “Without the countless hours Dr. Sullivan spends giving feedback to extempers, coaching debaters, and bringing Milano cookies for the team, Bellarmine Speech and Debate wouldn’t be nearly as competitive as it is today.”
Dr. Sullivan: thank you for all you have done, and continue to do, for the Speech & Debate program at Bellarmine – congratulations!