Comments on: In Memoriam: Michael Bacon

By: Molly Ryan

Molly Ryan — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:41:42 +0000

I have just heard the news. I have been out of the debate community for a while now, but I still remember every time I met Michael Bacon. What a guy. He always knew how to make me smile, and was always extremely nice. I still remember him at DDI, and how he would see I was late getting up to my room, and he would start at the other end of the hall so that I wouldn’t get work detail. I don’t think he knew how much I really appreciated small things like that, but they are always the things that stick out in my mind. I could always tell the passion he had in his heart for debate, and it is that showing that will live on. NFA, I send my heart out to you for your loss. Michael is irreplaceable.

By: Derrico Donna

Derrico Donna — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:33:17 +0000

Derrico Donna…

I Googled for something completely different, but found your page…and have to say thanks. nice read….

By: Dario Camara

Dario Camara — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:27:34 +0000

What a terrible loss.

From my days at Ridge, Michael has been one of the most generous and genuine people I met and befriended in debate. All of us in this community will miss him terribly. His intelligence, devotion and willing to help in any way at debate tournaments was unique and he was a true leader in our activity. We need more people like him.

The Royal Palm Beach team and myself want to send our condolences to the Bacon family, NFA and Sheryl.

Dario Camara

By: Vinay Prabhu

Vinay Prabhu — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:12:04 +0000

Although my post comes many days late, this has been on my mind for weeks. From 2000-2004, Michael coached me at NFA. From 2000 on, I got to know Michael, both as a coach and on a more personal level. Whether it was debating, judging, or just being on those hectic bus rides, you could tell he cared very deeply about debate. He always wanted to help, and however stubborn we were as adolescents, he cared too much to give up. Michael, you will truly be missed and it’s unfortunate that I can’t personally tell you how much you changed my life. This thread is a testament to how meaningful you were, and will continue to be, for so many people.

By: Victory Briefs Daily, the #1 website for High School Debaters » Blog Archive » Memorial Service for Michael Bacon to Be Held December 16

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 16:56:55 +0000

[…] VBD has created a space to help us remember and celebrate the life of Michael Bacon. It can be accessed by clicking here. […]

By: Loralynne Krobetzky

Loralynne Krobetzky — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 01:46:35 +0000

The first tournament without Mike Bacon has passed…and I found myself looking for him. I first met Mike (or Bacon as we called him) as a naive young policy debater. He was supportive and friendly. I made the switch to LD, and didn’t see him for a while. When I returned as an assistant coach, he was now judging LD, and treted me with the same friendliness and eagerness to both teach and learn. He was one of the first people to congratulate me on becoming coach of a team, and always had something encouraging to say. My regret is that I just assumed Bacon would always be there, as he had n=been in my debate life since 1991. Now there is a void, and I regret taking it for granted, and not being sure to talk to him more. I hope everyone in the debate community strives to emulate his example: openness, humility and friendliness at all times. I already miss you, Bacon.

By: Les Phillips

Les Phillips — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:05:37 +0000

I come late to this board: much of what I’d say has been said.

I knew Michael for 20 years, since his Wisconsin days. I was a visiting lecturer to the institute Kaz and Michael ran in the early 90s at Lawrence University. It was a phenomenal experiment: two great coaches who believed profoundly that debate could and should be for everyone, and that you didn’t have to lower standards to accomplish that goal. Michael’s creative energy was obvious — lots of ideas per minute, many of them very good, which means he had more good ideas per minute than most of us.

I want to highlight a quality already mentioned by others: Michael was most concerned with the debaters who needed the most help. He was a passionate “small d” democrat who believed that debate should be for everyone. And he persevered, through many obstacles and great frustration.

Michael Bacon is irreplaceable. We should all let Sheryl and Newburgh know that they can depend on us for what they may need.

By: Mr G and CSH Connecticut

Mr G and CSH Connecticut — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:26:57 +0000

We here at Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich, Connecticut send our deepest condolences to Newburgh Free Academy and to Mrs Bacon and Michael’s family. Michael was always so gracious and kind to me and to our team. If we ever have Policy or LD contestants I hope I coach them with one tenth Michael’s skill and talent.

Our prayers for the Bacon family and the NFA Debate family

Paul Grisanti

By: Neil Basu

Neil Basu — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:09:28 +0000

I remember, not one moment, but four years of high school debate knowing not only who Michael Bacon was, but always seeing him with that sarcastic sense of humor and smiling face, willing to help out. His ballots always made me smile because he didn’t waste words… he always told it like it was, and he only entertained the rest with hilarious commentary and narration. I was shocked when I heard the news… he will most certainly be missed.

By: KH

KH — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 21:35:31 +0000

I still remember my first round ever was judged by Bacon at Byram Hills. I also remember the kind words and encouragement he gave me. Although he is no longer with us physically, his spirit and dedication to debate will never leave us.