Linfield will host the 85th consecutive R.D. Mahaffey Memorial Forensics Tournament, one of the oldest tournaments in the entire Northwest area.

The tournament has been hosted at Linfield since 1931.

It was named in honor of Roy “Hap” Mahaffey after he retired. Mahaffey is not only a Linfield alum, he also began working at Linfield in 1928.

He was one of the first to research and develop forensics education in the Northwest and throughout the entire country.

In 1989, he was elected as a charter member of its Hall of Fame.

Mahaffey was also a member of Pi Kappa Delta and served as the president of the National Forensics Honorary.

The event will offer a variety of individual events in the novice, junior, and open divisions. The contestants will be judged based on various aspects of speaking, ranging from persuasion to dramatic interpretation.

All debate topics will be composed of recent events and issues, changing every round.

The Linfield Forensics Program and the Department of Theatre Arts and Communication will sponsor the event.

The entire tournament and award ceremony is open to the public and will take place on Nov. 13 through 15 at Linfield’s McMinnville campus.