What better way to hone communication skills than to participate in debate competition?
Ball State’s team is part of the National Education Debate Association (NEDA). Students participate in public, audience-oriented tournaments across the country, helping students improve critical thinking and presentational skills as they match wits with other debate teams in front of a panel of judges. You will learn to support your viewpoints and spot fallacies in argument, skills that are useful in a wide range of careers.
Through the years, our debate team has become one of the most competitive teams in the region and the nation. We sponsor speaker forums and audience debates as well as visits from international debate teams. Hard-working students of any major are welcome to apply.
For more information, contact the director of debate, Mike Bauer.
Debate Team in the News
The debate team competed at the National Educational Debate Association national tournament hosted by St. Peter's College in Washington DC.
The debate team won the team National Championship for 2009, repeating its title in 2008.
Samantha Sallee and Ben Davis were selected as All-American debaters.
Team Awards:
Varsity: Samantha Sallee and Ben Davis semi-finalist
Kaytee Byrns and Carrie McMurray semi-finalst
Novice: Nick Shipe and Lindsey Dixon 2nd place
Crossfire:
Lauren Harper and RJ Crace 2nd place
Misty White and Jay Bryant semi-finalist
Speaker awards:
Varsity:
1st place speaker Samantha Sallee
3rd place speaker Carrie McMurray
6th place speaker Kaytee Byrns
Novice:
1st place speaker: Joel Franz
3rd place speaker: Lindsey Dixon
4th place speaker: Nick Shipe
5th place speaker: Lauren Bade
Crossfire
2nd Place speaker: RJ Crace
3rd place speaker: Jerrod Stewart
10th place speaker: Misty White
Assistant coach Donny Peters, graduate assistants Natascha Atwood, Alexander Newman, and Dallis Pike