YSU Ethics Bowl team shines at nationals
Student Spotlight
The Youngstown State University Ethics Bowl Team tied with Macalester College, the eventual National Champion, in the semifinal round of the 2025 APPE Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl National Competition.
The team, comprised of members Brandon Tabak, junior, Philosophy and Political Science; Jordan Pintar, senior, Philosophy; Sofia Myers, junior, Political Science and Communications; and Peyton Hodge, junior, Political Science and Anthropology competed against 35 other top teams in the nation, ultimately claiming fourth place in the semifinal tiebreaker.
Whether they joined the Ethics Bowl team to prep for law school, apply their knowledge beyond the classroom, or simply continue on with their passion for debate, each student has built on skills they’ve gained from their classes at YSU. “It really helps you think back to those subjects [from our classes] ...off-the-cuff thinking is crucial when you’re competing,” Tabak said.
Coached by Alan Tomhave, associate dean and professor of Philosophy, and Mark Vopat, professor of Humanities and Social Sciences, the team underwent a rigorous preparation process prior to their Nationals appearance. With just one month to verse themselves in 17 different cases, they had to be strict with their meeting times, proposed approaches and division of workload.
Gaining a firsthand look at how other Ethics Bowl teams operate, the team was introduced to a diverse range of people and perspectives. Most notably, gaining insight on how other Ethics Bowl teams approached complex cases. “It was really cool to meet the other schools...a lot of teams had six people, but we’re a four-person team,” Hodge explained. “Obviously, some of us know more about some topics more than others, but we all contribute in our own unique ways.”
The team members were quick to highlight the support and guidance of both their coaches and guest judges. Beyond basic coaching, Tomhave and Vopat hand-select practice judges for each case to ensure that the team is presenting to people of diverse fields and professional backgrounds. “Coaches Tomhave and Vopat do a great job of picking the people they want to judge for each case...we need the cases to pertain to the judges’ interests or fields so that we can receive the best possible feedback,” Pintar said.
The Ethics Bowl team members take immense pride in representing YSU at a national stage. With a history of success behind them, they’ve built a reputation, and other teams will often approach them after competitions, complementing their clarity and collaboration as well as their coaching. “We get to take pride in our academics...the consistency of support from faculty and our own drive to uphold that YSU standard are what allows us to compete at this level,” Myers explained.
When looking toward the future, each team member credits YSU Ethics Bowl with helping them narrow down their career aspirations. The experiences gained through critical thinking, collaboration, and grappling with complex ethical dilemmas have not only deepened their understanding of their chosen fields but also equipped them with valuable skills that will guide them through their professional journeys wherever they may take them.