Dan West
John A Cassese Director of Forensics, Basic Course Director for the School of Communication Studies at Ohio University, from Lake Park, Minnesota

Dan began his coaching career as the director of forensics at Rice University in Houston, Texas from 1993 to 2003. He then came to Ohio University and has served as the director of forensics since 2005. In the School of Communication Dan currently teaches: Introduction to Human Communication, Introduction to Public Speaking, Oral Interpretation of Literature, Communication and Persuasion, Advanced Presentations, Senior Capstone Seminar, and Professional Seminar for Doctoral Students.

Throughout his career in collegiate forensics, Dan has been blessed with the opportunity to coach over forty champions at the American Forensics, Pi Kappa Delta, and the National Parliamentary Debate Association national tournaments. His goal at Ohio University is to ultimately build a “forensics empire”. Dan has a vision of recruiting, coaching, and constructing the best forensics team in the state of Ohio and the country. As he is on the road to success with the Bobcats, he says, “What do I love about forensics? I love to push students to become excellent at something and to really watch them grow. It’s not just about performing. I genuinely want them to perfect their craft. I honestly believe that when you master a talent, your performance has the opportunity to transport your audience from the here and now. By understanding this concept - you can change people’s lives!”

Patrick Barton
Graduate Student, Communication Studies, from Barre, Vermont

Patrick joined the Ohio University team this year to assist Dan West on his mission to create an empire. Patrick came to the Ohio Bobcats from Kansas State University where he obtained his Master’s degree in speech communication. During his time in college, Patrick competed at George Mason University in prose, duo interpretation, dramatic interpretation, program of oral interpretation, informative, persuasion, communication analysis, after dinner speaking, and impromptu events. Patrick feels that coaching for the Ohio University team this year will be his greatest accomplishment as he instructs the team in interpretation events. Patrick says, “I came to Ohio University because I was interested in being part of the greatest collegiate forensics team in the nation!”

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Brian Swafford
Graduate Student, Rhetoric in Public Culture, from Albany, Georgia

Brian obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. While in college, Brian competed on the forensics team for four years and his events included limited preparation, prose, and two forms of debate. He then began his coaching career at Central Michigan University where he coached three students who qualified for elimination rounds at the national tournament in Lincoln Douglass debate. Of those, one student reached the final round.

Brian now coaches the Ohio team in Lincoln-Douglass debate, rhetorical criticism and after dinner speaking. Thus far, Brian takes great pride in the Ohio University’s national success at the Pi Kappa Delta and National Forensics Association tournaments last year. Brian explains, “I came to Ohio University because I want a career in forensics. In order to do that, I felt I needed to study at the feet of a master. Thankfully, I have gained experience with a team that strives for competitive success and camaraderie.”