George Ziegelmueller of Royal Oak, director of debate at Wayne State University, won the Keele award for excellence in coaching and service to the community at the 1999 National Debate Tournament hosted by Wayne State.

He also won another award named in his honor for his life-long commitment to intercollegiate debate.

"I am humbled to receive these awards," said Ziegelmueller, who has coached the WSU squad for more than forty years. "It means a lot to be honored by my former debaters and colleagues."

The tournament featured the 78 best debate teams in the country. It was held March 26-29 at Wayne State and the Hyatt Regency Dearborn.

For the second consecutive year, Northwestern University won the national championship in intercollegiate debate at the tournament.

Northwestern defeated a team from Emory University in the finals. Michael Gottlieb and Ryan Sparacino won a unanimous decision over rivals Kamal Ghaliand Stephen Bailey. The University of Kansas and another team from Emory University won third place.

Individual awards also were received by Gottlieb and Sparacino for their excellent speaking skills throughout the tournament.

"Northwestern earned their championship," says John Miller, coordinator of the tournament. "They were heavily favored entering the tournament and lived-up to expectations."

Participants debated whether or not the United State federal government should amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to create additional protections against racial and/or gender discriminations.

The American Forensic Association sponsors the event with support from the Ford Motor Fund.

For more information call Miller at (313) 577-2946.