Community College participation in “Forensics” dates back to 1929 when the organization of Phi Rho Pi was established. Phi Rho Pi means the “brotherhood, of the art of speech and persuasion”. The sole purpose of the organization from the beginning was to promote interest in several forms of public address, to provide appropriate recognition to students who participate in intercollegiate programs, and to develop a spirit of fellowship on a nationwide basis. Twenty colleges were the charter members, including schools from the following states: Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Arizona, California, New Jersey, Oklahoma & Texas.

GROSSMONT COLLEGE’S HISTORY:

• Grossmont College has had a Forensic Team since it opened in 1961.
• Several current or recently retired faculty members served as Directors of Forensics over the years, including; Mr. Jack McAuley, Mr. Richard Larson, and Dr. Taylor McKenzie. For approximately 20 years Mr. Jay Richen was the Director of Forensics.
• In 1990, Roxanne Tuscany became the director and coach of the Grossmont Forensic Team. During the past fifteen years, the team has worked to build a reputation of success. In 1993, Grossmont finished in 5th place at the National Phi Rho Pi Tournament in the limited entry division. Two years later, in 1995 the team finished 10th in the nation, in the large school division. 
• In 1996, Grossmont had the honor of taking first place in the nation, in the limited entry division. In 1996, the top two speakers in the nation were from Grossmont College.
• James Hazlewood  became an integral member of the Grossmont Forensic Team as coach, and team builder, from 1993 to 2002. His own outstanding speaking accomplishments include numerous first place awards in two and four year competitions and nationals. His expertise includes all four of the major event categories from oral interpretation to debate. In the spring semester of 1997, James began our first parliamentary debate team. In 1999, Kelly Sullivan took home our first Gold Award in Parliamentary Debate. During the 2000, Fall semester, James directed the program and that spring the team went to Novice Nationals and finished first in the nation in small entry division.
• Grossmont has initiated some important programs within the Forensics program:
• Dr. McFarlin and James Hazlewood initiated a community outreach program with Pazzaz, Inc., which created a persuasive speaking competition for inner city high school students. Grossmont students became coaches and judges for these students.
• Roxanne Tuscany and James Hazlewood initiated speech/debate tournaments for college and high school students that have continued for the past 10 to 12 years. The Griffin Invitational Speech Tournament on Grossmont Campus, brings 20-25 colleges & universities to our campus each November. The Imperial Valley District High School Congress and Interpretation competition is held each fall and in the spring the State High School Qualifying tournament is held.
• Communication faculty have been instrumental in the success of these programs and Joel Castellaw and Victoria Howitt have both assisted the program as coaches and judges.
• In the Fall of 2003, Cuyamaca’s Forensics Director, Nancy Jennings and I finally began to see our plans to become a combined team become a reality. We now are the Grossmont/Cuyamaca District.
• This past year, 2005 the Grossmont/Cuyamaca District was awarded the D.L. Miller Award for most points accumulated over the years. In our case, it was since 1970’s. Nancy & Roxanne hosted their first State Community College Tournament in March, 2005.

We want you to know about our success, because you are now a part of that history. We want you to join with us in praising the past accomplishments and be a part of making new success stories.