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Legends Hall of Fame Nomination 2026

Any coach, student, alum, or speech and debate supporter may nominate an individual for consideration as an NSDA Hall of Fame Legend. A Hall of Fame Legend is a coach or non-coach adult who is worthy of consideration for this high honor. The nomination deadline is February 16, 2026.
Sample Biography (300 words or less)
Your identity as nominator will remain confidential. Therefore, your coach biography (300 words or less) should be written in the third person and focus on the coaching history and qualifications of your candidate. Refer to the following example for additional guidance.

 

Jane Smith has been a dedicated coach of speech and debate for the past 30 years. A five-diamond coach from Blank High School, Jane is the epitome of integrity and dedication to the National Speech & Debate Association.

Competitively, Jane has qualified 11 students to the National Tournament. Her team has sent five students to the final rounds and has captured three national championships. During Jane’s coaching career, Blank High School has won the Largest Chapter Award and the District Sweepstakes Award several times.

Jane has had an outstanding career at the state level as well, directing her team to eight High School League State Championships in speech competition. In 2005, she won the Outstanding Speech, Debate, and Theater Award from ABCDE. In 2007, XYZ awarded her the Outstanding Individual in Speech and Theater. In 2009, the State High School League inducted Jane into their Hall of Fame.

Jane is generous with her time, evidenced by her extensive service to the Association and her state. For eight years, she has served as district chair. She is co-founder and co-director of her state’s debate camp. Jane has also hosted an invitational tournament for the past 10 years.

Her teams’ awards and achievements are only a snapshot of the important role that Jane plays in the lives of her students. Jane spends tireless hours not only to improve her students’ forensic skills, but also to be a mentor and role model teaching her students to be responsible citizens as well as worthy competitors. Jane exemplifies the true spirit of the Association’s mission to bring lifetime skills of language and communication to the youth of our country.

With three decades of exemplary coaching, teaching, and service to her students and colleagues, Jane Smith richly deserves induction in the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame.

  • Your Information

  • Legends Hall of Fame Nominee

    Please provide contact information for your nominee, if known, to help us notify them if they are selected for the Hall of Fame.

  • Your identity as nominator will remain confidential. Therefore, your biography should be written in the third person and focus on the history and qualifications of your candidate. Some topics to include could be speech and debate accolades and accomplishments, career highlights, character, and personal contributions to speech and debate communities.

  • Additional Nominee Information (Optional)

    The following details are not required; however, your responses may be helpful in crafting future announcements, press releases, etc., should your nominee be inducted into the NSDA Hall of Fame. If you are unsure of a particular answer, feel free to leave the field(s) blank. Thank you!

  • e.g., Teacher, Coach, Head Coach, Director of Forensics, etc.

  • You may list more than one school/state, if applicable.

  • You may expand upon any awards/accolades not included in the nomination biography.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.