Nationals History
National Speech & Debate Tournament Results
High School
Middle School
High School World Schools Debate
To view results from an earlier year, please view our Rostrum archive. National Tournament results are published in the Summer (September) edition.
Dramatic Interpretation Champions
2026 Zach Johannes, Lincoln East HS, Nebraska
2025 Claudia Colina, Ransom Everglades School, Florida
2024 Karla Rivera, Harlingen HS South, Texas
2023 Kylan Williams, Comeaux HS, Louisiana
2022 Logan Green, Hattiesburg HS, Mississippi
2021 Giana Martinez, L. C. Anderson HS, Texas
2020 Semaj Lee, Apple Valley HS, Minnesota
2019 Jacob Foster, Comeaux HS, Louisiana
2018 Kimberly Lee, Summit HS, New Jersey
2017 Chase Garrett, Southside HS, South Carolina
2016 Izabella Czejdo, McDowell HS, Pennsylvania
2015 Daniel Williams, Holy Cross School, Louisiana
2014 Abigail Onwunali, Hastings HS, Texas
2013 Anthony Nadeau, Royal Palm Beach HS, Florida
2012 Deshawn Weston, Grand Prairie HS, Texas
2011 Jamaque Newberry, Nova HS, Florida
2010 Michael Carone, Monsignor Farrell HS, New York
2009 Jane Bruce, Ogden HS, Utah
2008 Stephen Elrod, Bellarmine College Prep, California
2007 Nana Amoah, Jr., Edison HS, Virginia
2006 Blake Williams, The Montgomery Academy, Alabama
2005 Cory D. Stewart, Eastview HS, Minnesota
2004 D’Angelo Lacy, Creekview HS, Texas
2003 Pierre Clark, James Logan HS, California
2002 Krystyn Spratt, Apple Valley HS, Minnesota
2001 Aimee DeShayes, Syosset HS, New York
2000 Esther Etuk, Newman Smith HS, Texas
1999 John Egan, Eagan HS, Minnesota
1998 Michael Urie, Plano Sr. HS, Texas
1997 Michael Washington, Plano Sr. HS, Texas
1996 Jelena Moore, James Logan HS, California
1995 Susan Bohannon, Albuquerque Academy, New Mexico
1994 Danny Beaty, Miami Valley School, Ohio
1993 Chris Conner, Kinkaid School, Texas
1992 Colin Stokes, San Antonio-Churchill, Texas
1991 Demond Wilson, Vines HS, Texas
1990 Dan Sklar, Glenbrook North HS, Illinois
1989 Greg Wilson, Hanks HS, Texas
1988 Brenda McElroy, Milton Academy, Massachusetts
1987 Lance Harshbarger, Shawnee Mission-South HS, Kansas
1986 David Getzendaner, Kansas City-Park Hill, Missouri
1985 Andy Thornton, San Antonio-Churchill HS, Texas
1984 Geoff Abbott, Sioux Falls-O’Gorman HS, South Dakota
1983 Robert Strain, San Antonio-Roosevelt, Texas
1982 Greg Dolph, Chesterton HS, Indiana
1981 Darrell Johnson, Okmulgee, Oklahoma
1980 Solveig Olsen, Sioux Falls-Lincoln, South Dakota
1979 Steven Young, New Richmond HS, Wisconsin
1978 Andrew Sattee, Pine Crest Prep. HS, Florida
1977 Michael Mandell, Logansport HS, Indiana
1976 Lynne Joyner, Bellevue Newport HS, Washington
1975 Darryl Bowdre, McAlester HS, Oklahoma
1974 Robert Rosenberg, Toledo-DeVilbiss HS, Ohio
1973 Mark Ferguson, Perry HS, Ohio
1972 Annalee Jefferies, Houston-Bellaire HS, Texas
1971 John Leamer, Fairmont East HS, Kettering, Ohio
1970 John Wall, Campbellsville, Kentucky
1969 Darren Kelley, Anaheim-Loara, California
1968 Ruben Delgado, Stockton Edison, California
1967 Brent Mintz, Houston-Bellaire, Texas
1966 Joan Rue, Lexington-Clay, Kentucky
1965 Suzanne Abernathy, Paris-Grove, Tennessee
1964 Camille Waters, Houston-Bellaire, Texas
1963 Andy Fichter, Delaware-Hayes, Ohio
1962 Joe Rowlette, West Plains, Missouri
1961 Paul Bernath, Houston-Jesse Jones, Texas
1960 Albertha Hillmon, Stockton Edison, California
1959 Alan Haufrect, Houston-Bellaire, Texas
1958 Karen McPeek, Euclid, Ohio
1957 April Shawhan, Dayton-Fairmont, Ohio
1956 Dan McCall, Modesto California
1955 Shirley Shubin, Los Angeles HS, California
1951 Sue Routsong, Dayton-Oakwood, Ohio
1950 Carolyn Parks, Santa Rosa, California
1949 Carolyn Parks, Santa Rosa, California
1948 Ralph Jensen, Kenosha, Wisconsin
1947 Beulah Meacham, Canton-McKinley, Ohio
1946 Rae June Decker, DuQuoin, Illinois
1941 Jean Swidensky, Oklahoma City-Central, Oklahoma
1940 James Lee, Santa Rosa, California
1939 Ben Morris, Oklahoma City-Classen, Oklahoma
1938 Jack Edwards, Hollywood, California
1937 Virginia Kraft, Mediapolis, Iowa
1936 Caleb Peterson, Peekskill, New York
1935 Mary Ann Porterfield, Topeka, Kansas
1934 Donald Swanson, Webster City, Iowa
1933 Denton Snyder, Humboldt, Iowa
1932 Pauline Crockett, California, Pennsylvania
1931 Kathryn Harney, Peoria-Manual, Illinois
Duo Interpretation Champions
Humorous Interpretation Champions
Informative Speaking Champions
International Extemporaneous Speaking Champions
2026 Zoe Becker, School Without Walls HS, District of Columbia
2025 Anthony Babu, Concord Carlisle HS, Massachusetts
2024 Anthony Babu, Concord Carlisle HS, Massachusetts
2023 McKinley Paltzik, Phoenix Country Day School, Arizona
2022 McKinley Paltzik, Phoenix Country Day School, Arizona
2021 Pranav Pattatathunaduvil, Plano West Sr. HS, Texas
2020 Angela Wang, Plano West Sr. HS, Texas
2019 Rene Otero, Hendrickson HS, Texas
2018 Uzair Alpial, Plano West Sr. HS, Texas
2017 Connor Rothschild, Kickapoo HS, Missouri
2016 Marshall M. Sloane, Milton Academy, Massachusetts
2015 Brian Anderson, Larue County HS, Kentucky
2014 Miles I. Saffran, Trinity Prepatory School, Florida
2013 Nathan Leys, Des Moines Roosevelt HS, Iowa
2012 Asheshananda Rambachan, Eastview HS, Minnesota
2011 Dylan Slinger, Lakeville South HS, Minnesota
2010 Jacob F. Baker, Bellarmine College Prep, California
2009 Stacey Chen, North Allegheny Sr. HS, Pennsylvania
2008 Akshar Rambachan, Eastview HS, Minnesota
2007 David Kumbroch, Collierville HS, Tennessee
2006 Spencer Rockwell, Palisade HS, Colorado
2005 Kevin K. Troy, Eagan HS, Minnesota
2004 Ishanaa N. Rambachan, Eastview HS, Minnesota
2003 Daniel Hemel, Scarsdale HS, New York
2002 John Jernigan, Chesterton HS, Indiana
2001 Jesse Nathan, Moundridge HS, Kansas
2000 Gilbert Lee, Bridgewater-Raritan Reg HS, New Jersey
1999 Jessica Bailey, Apple Valley HS, Minnesota
1998 Steven Wu, San Marino HS, California
1997 Ben S. Lerner, Topeka HS, Kansas
1996 Daniel Habib, Regis HS, New York
1995 John Ferguson, Lewisville HS, Texas
1994 Ryan Scott, Forest Lake HS, Minnesota
1993 Ami Arad, Arroyo Grande HS, California
1992 Manda Wong, Apple Valley HS, Minnesota
1991 Robin Thorner, San Antonio-Lee HS, Texas
1990 Alex Tuckness, Kickapoo HS, Missouri
1989 Suzie Sprague, Plano HS, Texas
1988 Craig Broscow, Cypress HS, California
1987 Austan Goolsbee, Milton Academy, Massachusetts
1986 John Wertheim, St. Michael’s HS, New Mexico
1985 David Schimke, Eau Claire Memorial HS, Wisconsin
Original Oratory Champions
Program Oral Interpretation Champions
United States Extemporaneous Speaking Champions
Congressional Debate - House Champions
Congressional Debate - Senate Champions
Lincoln-Douglas Debate Champions
Policy Debate Champions
Public Forum Debate Champions
World Schools Debate Champions
Big Questions Debate Champions
Commentary Champions
Expository Champions
Extemporaneous Debate Champions
Impromptu Champions
Original Spoken Word Poetry Champions
Poetry Reading Champions
Prose Reading Champions
Storytelling Champions
Boys' Extemporaneous Speaking Champions
Girls' Extemporaneous Speaking Champions
Oratorical Declamation Champions
Pro Con Challenge Champions
Prose/Poetry Champions
Radio Speaking Champions
Sweepstakes
To view results from an earlier year, please view our Rostrum archive. National Tournament results are published in the Summer (September) edition.
Four-Time Competitors
It is a great honor to attend Nationals once. It is especially difficult to attend more than once! High school students must attend the National Tournament all four years in a main event, supplemental event, Big Questions, or World Schools Debate to be eligible for this award. Students are listed alphabetically by last name.
2026 Four-Time Competitors
Phyllis Flory Barton Policy Debate Top Speaker
The top Policy Debate speaker award is named in honor of one of debate’s great coaches, Mrs. Phyllis Flory Barton of Cincinnati-Princeton, Ohio. Mrs. Barton coached a national championship team in both of the great national leagues and upon her death, her students and colleagues endowed the Phyllis Flory Barton Top Speaker Award.Previous Top Speakers
Harland B. Mitchell Trophy
The national champion Policy Debate team receives the Harland B. Mitchell Trophy, named after the Association’s legendary debate coach from Oklahoma. During his 39-year career, Mitchell coached 18 state debate champions, three national debate champions, three national debate runners-up, and a national champion in Extemp. In light of his superlative success and service, Mitchell was named as the foremost debate coach in America by the National Debate Association in 1960, the only time the award has ever been given, and recognized as an original member of the Hall of Fame. The National Speech & Debate Association applauds the legacy of its own pioneer, Mr. H. B. Mitchell.Previous Harland B. Mitchell Trophy Recipients
Robert Shrum Award
The top speaker in World Schools Debate is recognized annually at the National Tournament. The namesake of this award is legendary attorney, speechwriter, columnist, political consultant, NSDA alumnus, and outstanding debater at the 1965 Collegiate National Debate Tournament, Mr. Robert Shrum.Previous Robert Shrum Award Recipients
Lincoln-Douglas Debate Top Speaker
The top speaker in Lincoln-Douglas Debate is recognized at the National Tournament, presented in memory of Tina Wang.Previous Top Speakers
Interp Bowls
Custom bowls are awarded to the students who, in the opinion of the final round judges, won the final rounds of Dramatic Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, and Humorous Interpretation at the National Speech & Debate Tournament.Previous Dramatic Interp Bowl Recipients
Previous Duo Interp Bowl Recipients
Previous Humorous Interp Bowl Recipients
Previous Program Oral Interp Bowl Recipients
President’s Bowls
Presented by Past President Donus D. Roberts and his wife Lovila, custom bowls are awarded to the students who, in the opinion of the final round judges, won the final rounds of Original Oratory, United States Extemporaneous Speaking, and International Extemporaneous Speaking at the National Speech & Debate Tournament.Previous Informative Speaking President's Bowl Recipients
Previous International Extemp President's Bowl Recipients
Previous Original Oratory President's Bowl Recipients
Previous United States Extemp President's Bowl Recipients
Congressional Leadership Bowls
Custom bowls are awarded to the top Senator and Representative whose peers voted them most outstanding in the National Final Session.Previous House Leadership Bowl Recipients
Previous Senate Leadership Bowl Recipients
Congressional Presiding Officer Awards
Special gavels are awarded to the top presiding officers in the Senate and the House in the National Final Session.Previous House Top Presiding Officers
Previous Senate Top Presiding Officers
Activating Equity Award
Speech and debate is a multicultural activity, in which many of our participants are committed to using their voices to shed light on social injustice and propose actions for change. The Activating Equity Award was created to honor the work of groups or collectives of individuals who, over the past year or years, have dedicated themselves to the enhancement of the culture of equity in middle and high school speech and debate activities.Previous Activating Equity Award Recipients
Administrator of the Year Award
The National Speech & Debate Association’s Administrator of the Year Award program annually honors administrators who have succeeded in providing high-quality opportunities for students in speech and debate programming as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to the profession.Previous Administrator of the Year Award Recipients
Albert S. Odom Commendation
In honor of the Association’s legendary coach, the Albert S. Odom Commendation is presented to the coach of the school receiving the Bruno E. Jacob / Pi Kappa Delta Trophy.Previous Albert S. Odom Commendation Recipients
Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award
Each year, the Association recognizes an alumnus who, throughout their personal and professional career, has demonstrated exemplary commitment to the tenets of the Code of Honor integrity, humility, respect, leadership, and service.Previous Alumni Lifetime Achievement Recipients
Bruno E. Jacob / Pi Kappa Delta Trophy
Named after Bruno E. Jacob, the founder of the National Speech & Debate Association, the NSDA’s top trophy is awarded to the school that has earned the greatest number of cumulative rounds in main events at the National Speech & Debate Tournament. The award is endowed by Pi Kappa Delta, the oldest national collegiate forensic honorary.Previous Bruno E. Jacob / Pi Kappa Delta Trophy Recipients
Bruno E. Jacob Commendation
If more than 50 percent of the points necessary for the procurement of the Bruno E. Jacob Trophy were gained under the direction of one instructor, that coach receives a special award in recognition of their service in effective speech and debate education.Previous Bruno E. Jacob Commendation Recipients
Brother Gregory “René” Sterner Lifetime Service Award
This award honors individuals who have dedicated their life to the activity of forensics through true service to the National Speech & Debate Association. The award is named after one of the Association’s greatest servants, and its inaugural winner, Brother René Sterner, FSC.Previous Sterner Lifetime Service Award Recipients
Communicator of the Year Award
The National Speech & Debate Association celebrates an individual who utilizes their speech and debate education in ways that profoundly impact the lives of others.Previous Communicator of the Year Recipients
District Chair Awards
Each year at the National Tournament, chairs from across the country are recognized for their service and leadership within the National Speech & Debate Association.Previous Chair of the Year Recipients
Previous Best New Chair Recipients
Previous Best Chair Communications Recipients
Previous Gold, Silver, Bronze Award Recipients
- The chair of the district in first place on May 1, based on combined chapter strength, receives 8 units; the next three receive 4 units; and the next nine receive 2 units. All others receive 1 unit.
- For 4 units a chair is given a bronze award; for 6 units a silver award; and for 8 units a gold award. No chair is ever given a lower award than one previously received, but accumulates units toward a gold award. More than one gold award may be earned.
- Awards are presented to chairs in attendance at the National Speech & Debate Tournament during the District Leadership Luncheon and Awards Ceremony.
District Leader Commendations
Recipients are nominated annually by their peers for going above and beyond in the areas of leadership and service, which may include excellence in district communications or publicity, developing district programs and resources, and/or district membership and engagement support. In addition to District Committee members, other coaches, administrators, parents, or volunteers in the district may be considered for this award.Previous District Leader Commendation Recipients
2026 Recipients
Jennifer Beagles – Wind River (WY)
Molly Bruins – South Oregon
Michael Convey – Citron Online
Kyle Hietala – California Coast
Batya Kimyagarov – Citron Online
Matthew Medina-Manning – Golden Desert (NV)
Skyler Walker – UIL (TX)
2025 Recipients
Shiela Berselli – Golden Desert (NV)
Katie Burke – New Jersey
Elise Matton – New Mexico
Megan Troutman – Puget Sound (WA)
Tyler Will – Hole in the Wall (WY)
2024 Recipients
Laurents Bañuelos – Golden Desert (NV)
Brandon Batham – West Los Angeles (CA)
Danielle Johnson – Eastern Missouri
WK Kay – New York City
Jethro Smith – Idaho Mountain River
Marna Weston – Florida Panther
2023 Recipients
Victoria Beard – Space City (TX)
Megan Butt – Carolina West (NC)
Stacy Goddard – Three Trails (KS)
Chasity Hance – Ozark (MO)
Matt Leland – Maine
Jonathan Robertson – Tall Cotton (TX)
Yatesh Singh – Central Minnesota
2022 Recipients
Robin Christensen – Idaho Mountain River
Allen Pino – Hole in the Wall (WY)
Charles Schletzbaum – California Coast
Sydnie Schoepf – Sundance (UT)
Shelly Venema – Michigan
2021 Recipients
Nate Conoly – Deep South (AL)
Victor Jih – West Los Angeles (CA)
Patrick DeMartine – Rocky Mountain – North (CO)
Chris Riffer – Three Trails (KS)
Sheridan Johnson – New Mexico
Donna Szumila – Yellow Rose (TX)
Rachel Billings – Sundance (UT)
Doris Sexton – Southern Wisconsin
2020 Recipients
Richard Glover – Arizona
Rachel Mauchline – Arkansas
Sarah French – Rocky Mountain – North (CO)
Steven Dubois – Three Trails (KS)
Chasity Hance – Ozark (MO)
Aarron Schurevich– Nebraska
Brandon Johnson – South Oregon
Robert Shepard – Lone Star (TX)
Julie Schniers – Tall Cotton (TX)
Carrie Baker-Jackson – Southern Wisconsin
2019 Recipients
Ameena Amdahl-Mason – North Oregon
Victoria Beard – Space City (TX)
Kevin Berlat – Arizona
Mike Brown – Nebraska
Lyndsy Denk – Maine
Dana Facer – Idaho Mountain River
Stephanie Owen – Colorado Grande
Seth Pietsek – Tall Cotton (TX)
Mark Quinlan – Central Minnesota
Peter Quinn – New Jersey
Carina White – Wind River (WY)
2018 Recipients
Margo Batha – New Mexico
Michelle Boswell – Tarheel East (NC)
Shawn Briscoe – Eastern Missouri
Michael Harris – Sunflower (KS)
Victor Jih – West Los Angeles (CA)
Robyn Rose – North Oregon
Wendy Shelman – Idaho Mountain River
Meykia Smith – Western Washington
Rhonda Smith – Lone Star (TX)
Steven Wang – Georgia Northern Mountain
2017 Recipients
Jessica Benton – South Carolina
Lee Ellen Beach – Tennessee
William Brown – Colorado Grande
Gayle Hyde – North Dakota
Ryan Lovell – Tall Cotton (TX)
Jarod Ockander – Nebraska
Martin Page – New Jersey
Angelique Ronald – Sierra (CA)
Cory Shay – Valley Forge (PA)
2016 Recipients
Cara Borgsmiller – Eastern Missouri
Camilla Boylan – Idaho Gem of the Mountain
Jacqueline Croswhite – Great Salt Lake (UT)
Hannah Flake – New Mexico
Sally Graham – Colorado
Mickey Huston – Tennessee
William E. Warren – Tarheel East (NC)
John P. Wolnisty – Arizona
David A. Yastremski – New Jersey
Michael Yeakey – Northwest Indiana
Frank Sferra Director’s Commendation
The Director’s Commendation is awarded annually for outstanding contributions by a coach. The award is named after Frank Sferra, a longtime coach from Colorado. During his lifetime, Frank was a fierce champion of all speech and debate programs. He had a passion for providing assistance to all with a vision for building the activity.Previous Director's Commendation Recipients
Harold Keller Public Service Leadership Award
Harold C. Keller’s dedication to and development of Congressional Debate was unparalleled. He was a speech and debate coach from Davenport, Iowa, and a member of the NSDA Hall of Fame since 1990. For more than 25 years, Mr. Keller was a driving force in planning and implementing the National Congress, retaining the affectionate title of “Mr. Congress.” This award pays tribute to Mr. Keller’s longtime support and recognizes an individual who has successfully applied lessons learned through Congressional Debate to become an effective leader in public service.Previous Keller Award Recipients
James M. Copeland High School Coach of the Year
The National Speech & Debate Association’s James M. Copeland High School Coach of the Year Award annually honors high school coaches who reflect outstanding leadership and commitment to speech and debate activities.Previous High School Coach of the Year Recipients
High School Assistant Coach of the Year
The National Speech & Debate Association’s Assistant Coach of the Year award recognizes an exemplary high school assistant coach serving at an NSDA member school.Previous High School Assistant Coach of the Year Recipients
High School New Coach of the Year
The National Speech & Debate Association’s New Coach of the Year award recognizes an exemplary high school coach who is in their first year of NSDA membership.Previous High School New Coach of the Year Recipients
Middle School Coach of the Year
The National Speech & Debate Association’s Middle School Coach of the Year Award annually honors middle school coaches who reflect outstanding leadership and commitment to speech and debate activities.Previous Middle School Coach of the Year Recipients
Ralph E. Carey Award for Distinguished Career Service
This highest honor for district chairs is named after the late Ralph E. Carey, former district chair from South Florida. The career award is endowed by a bequest from his estate.Previous Ralph E. Carey Award Recipients
2026 Renee C. Motter, Colorado Grande
2025 Jeff Stutzman, Northeast Indiana
2024 Jennifer Jerome, Nebraska
2023 Chris McDonald, Southern Minnesota
2022 Martha Benham, Colorado
2021 Linda Shipley, East Oklahoma
2020 Matt Good, Show Me (MO)
2019 Cynthia Timmons, Lone Star (TX)
2018 Marc Rischitelli, New England (MA & NH)
2017 David Abel, Kansas
2016 Steve Meadows, Kentucky
2015 Susan L. Anderson, North Dakota Roughrider
2014 Steven Wood, Three Trails (KS)
2013 Meg Howell-Haymaker, Arizona
2012 Dr. Elizabeth Ballard, West Oklahoma
2011 Gail Nicholas, South Carolina
2010 Kandi King, Central Texas
2009 Robert Brittain, Northeast Indiana
2008 Karen Miyakado, Hawaii
2007 Don Crabtree, Heart of America (MO)
2006 Connie J. Link, Greater Illinois
2004 Dr. Robert E. Littlefield, North Dakota Roughrider
2003 Cathy C. McNamara, East Kansas
2002 Pauline J. Carochi, Colorado Grande
2001 David Johnson, South Texas
2000 Donus D. Roberts, Northern South Dakota
1999 Anne Sullivan, Montana
1998 Lanny D. Naegelin, Central Texas
1997 Bob Ihrig, Southern Minnesota
1996 Larry Smith, Sierra (CA)
1995 Lowell Sharp, Rocky Mountain-South (CO)
1994 Sandra Silvers, Georgia Northern Mountain
1993 Vernon Metz, Pittsburgh (PA)
1992 Dr. Jane Eldridge, Tennessee
1991 Frank Sferra, Rocky Mountain-South (CO)
Senator Karl E. Mundt Sweepstakes Trophy
Awarded since the first National Student Congress in 1938, the Karl Mundt Trophy is presented to the school with the largest number of cumulative participation points in Congressional Debate at the National Tournament.Previous Karl Mundt Trophy Recipients
Ted W. Belch Award
Each year, the Ted W. Belch Award, named after the legendary coach and Hall of Fame member, is awarded to the coach of the national champion Policy Debate team. In addition, a permanent replica trophy is housed in the national office and displays the names of each recipient on its base.Previous Ted W. Belch Award Recipients
Thomas Glenn Pelham Award
The Thomas Glenn Pelham Award has been given annually since 1990 at the National Speech & Debate Tournament in recognition of devotion to the forensic arts, which teach motivation, integrity, and character. For over 13 years, Mr. Thomas Glenn Pelham served as the director of the Barkley Forum at Emory University. He believed in the unique capability of the forensic arts to build character in the young people who participated and that constructive dialogue, conflict resolution, critical thinking, literacy, and communication skills are central to a civilized society. Mr. Pelham worked tirelessly to provide speech and debate opportunities to college and high school students and believed so strongly in recognizing educators who did the same that he established this award in his will. It is endowed by the Barkley Forum for Debate, Deliberation, and Dialogue at Emory University. This award is given annually to someone who:- has spent a decade or more as an educator or advocate in the high school speech and debate community
- exhibits motivation, integrity, and character
- emphasizes to speech and debate students the importance of motivation, integrity, and character above competition
Previous Thomas Glenn Pelham Award Recipients
The Unger Cup
This annual award, named in honor of one of America’s finest debaters and coaches, former Georgetown Professor and Director of Forensics James J. Unger, is awarded to the Policy Debate school that has placed the highest cumulatively in the five great national debate tournaments: the National Speech & Debate Tournament; the NCFL Grand Debate Tournament; the University of Kentucky Tournament of Champions (TOC); the NAUDL Urban Debate National Championship Tournament; and the National Debate Coaches Association (NDCA) Debate Tournament. The Unger Cup is endowed and presented in perpetuity at the National Speech & Debate Tournament. An antique silver, three-handled loving cup, created by Tiffany at the turn of the century, will remain at the national office with a professionally designed base honoring all of the recipients.Previous Unger Cup Recipients
Tournament Book Archive
Check out past editions of the official program for the National Speech & Debate Tournament including event information, annual award recipients, attendee rosters, and more!
Past Tournament Hosts
Each year, the National Speech & Debate Tournament travels to a different major city across the United States! For a list of future host sites, check out our National Tournament page.
Past Tournament Hosts
Past Tournament Locations
More Awards
The National Speech & Debate Association’s Honor Society recognizes middle school and high school students and coaches for participation in speech and debate activities. Students earn distinction through speech and debate competition as well as community service, public speaking, and leadership activities. Coaches simultaneously earn the points recorded for their students. Members are eligible to join the Honor Society once they have earned the required number of points. As members earn additional points, they also earn new degrees in our Honor Society, which offer distinction, recognize progress, and provide motivation. For more than 100 years, we’ve celebrated the achievements of nearly two million alumni.