Blue Raider Debate

Coaches

Director of Forensics & Debate Coach

Dr. Patrick (Pat) Richey earned his Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi. He earned his M.A. from Stephen F. Austin State University and his B.A. from Louisiana College. Pat is well versed in debate. He began his debate career in middle school and debated for Oak Park High School in Kansas City, Mo. He debated for Longview Community College before transferring and debating for Bennett Strange at Louisiana College. While in Iraq as a Civil Affairs Sgt. In 2002-2004, Pat participated in the email debate tournament. Upon his return he debated and was the Assistant Coach at Stephen F. Austin State University with Coach Stephen Jeffcoat. Pat is currently the Director of Forensics at Middle Tennessee State University. Pat has competed, coached, or judged IPDA, NPDA, Worlds Championship Debate, CX, LD, Public Forum, Student Congress, and multiple IEs for the past 20 years.

His capacities in IPDA include or have included; Current (2012-2015) & former (2006-2009) IPDA Governing Board member, Founder and editor for the IPDA Journal for four years, tab room for two National Championships, published a chapter in the upcoming IPDA Textbook (2nd ed.) and is currently the IPDA Historian.

Pat's academic interests include debate history and theory, especially ethos. As well as rhetoric, specifically post-modern thought, military rhetoric, and Islamic rhetoric. He has published multiple articles and book chapters including recently in the Louisiana Communication Journal and attended dozens of conferences.
Pat is married to his former college debate partner, Rebecca (Becky) Joyce Teater, whom he met through debate and proposed to at The Worlds Championship Debate in Toronto, Canada. Pat and Becky have two children, Abigail Marie (4) and Robert Josef (4 months) as of August 2011.

Contact: prichey@mtsu.edu

IE Coach

Natonya Blackmun Listach volunteers by helping the Blue Raider Debaters with IEs (Individual Events). She is a product of the Williamson County and Franklin Special School Districts. After graduating from Franklin High School, Mrs. Listach went on to attend Belmont University and Western Kentucky University where she received a B.A. in Communication Studies and Political Sciences and an M.A. in Communication Studies.

Public speaking has been in her blood for as long as she can remember. While in high school and college, Mrs. Listach competed in interpretive events. She won awards in duo interpretive, prose, persuasion, and rhetorical criticism/communication analysis and was a co-captain of Belmont University's Speech and Debate team. Currently, she serves as a judge for local tournaments. Mrs. Listach is an avid user of social media. Her research currently focuses on the creation of culture and community through social media. Mrs. Listach is the eldest daughter of Nathaniel and Joyce Blackmun and is married to John Listach, Jr. She has numerous interests including singing, going on road trips, playing with her little brother, and knitting.

Contact: natonya.listach@mtsu.edu