"That was funny," Bruschke recalled. "The other teams objected because they said rapping was not the way you normally communicate. Our debater simply said, 'Well, speaking 600 words a minute isn't the way you normally communicate either.' So the judge let it go. In effect, our student had a debate before the debate. and he won both."

According to Bruschke, many still see debate teams as "white boys' clubs."

"That certainly isn't the case with our group," he said. "On our team, members speak five different languages. The females outnumber the males by two to one. We have two Latinos, three Indians, two Asians and representatives of other diverse groups. If you're smart and willing to work, we can make you a debater."

Unlike many of the Ivy League universities they compete against, Cal State Fullerton's team doesn't have a large budget. Sometimes instead of flying to tournaments, the team squeezes into Bruschke's van (and an extra car or two) and drives. "Our program is about opportunity," Bruschke said. "Our debaters do well because they understand the problems they are discussing. When they are debating, you can hear the cry. You can hear the anger. They use their experience. and they reach out to others like them."

Cameron went on to coach Luis - the current top-ranked debater on the team. They had much in common: They were both top-ranked debaters on CSUF's team. Both were poor. Both experienced discrimination. Sadly, they share another bond. Last year, Luis also lost his mother to breast cancer.

"What I appreciate about my team is how they support each other," Bruschke said. "This isn't about winning a pile of trophies. This is about them developing into caring individuals. I'm not as interested in how they are as debaters. I'm interested in what they're like as human beings."

POSTSCRIPT

Today, Cameron Ward and Luis Magallon are roommates. After graduating in 2005 with a degree in human communications studies, Cameron is pursuing a second degree - in music. Luis is continuing his studies as a criminal justice and philosophy major.

The four-year funding grant for the SCUDL program has ended. With limited funding to pay for tournament fees, transportation and school support, this outreach program to economically underserved high schools has been curtailed.