Speech and Debate

 

 

"[Our students] are defined by their hard work, thoughtfulness, resilience, and selflessness. Their success is the product of extraordinary effort."

Coach Aaron Duncan

Speech and Debate Achievements

  • 2023 and 2022 National Debate Team Champions in Lincoln Douglas Debate Team at National Forensics Association
  • Nicholas Wallenburg 2023 Lincoln Douglas Debate Individual National Champion
  • 9th Place Speech Team in the Nation at American Foresnics Association's National Speech Tournament 2023
  • Becca Human 2019 National Champion Extemporaneous Speaking at the American Forensics Association's National Speech Tournament 
  • Colten White 2018 National Champion in Lincoln Douglas Debate
  • 5th place finish in Debate at the National Forensics Association's Annual Tournament 2019
  • 8th place finish in Speech at the American Forensics Association's National Individual Events Tournament 2019
  • UNL Speech and Debate Win 7th Straight Big Ten Tournament Title
  • Eight Big Ten Conference Challenge Tournament Championships
  • Eight individual national champions since 2000 and 8 national runners up since 2000
  • National champions in all three areas of individual events competition in speech and in debate
  • Team has placed among top twenty teams nationally for the past twenty three years in a row
  • One of only two teams in the country to place in the top 15 in the nation in both Individual Events and Lincoln Douglas Debate
  • Alumnus Nick Herink earned second place at the national tournaments for the American Forensics Association and National Forensics Association.

Resources

Coaches

  1. Avatar for Aaron Duncan
    Aaron Duncan
    Professor of Practice Communication Studies University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    LPH 375
    Lincoln NE 68588-0329
    Phone
    Work 402-472-2070 On-campus 2-2070
    Email
    aduncan3@unl.edu
  2. Avatar for Allison R. Bonander
    Allison R. Bonander
    Associate Professor of Practice Communication Studies University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    LPH 373
    Lincoln NE 68588-0329
    Phone
    Work 402-472-2070 On-campus 2-2070
    Email
    allisonbonander@unl.edu
  3. Avatar for Justin Kirk
    Justin Kirk
    Associate Professor of Practice Communication Studies University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    LPH 371
    Lincoln NE 68588-0329
    Phone
    Work 402-472-2070 On-campus 2-2070
    Email
    jkirk11@unl.edu

Donate to Speech and Debate

All gifts cover the expenses needed to travel, register students for competition, host tournaments, and purchase supplies.

Former Chancellor Ronnie Green visits with the Speech and Debate Team.

Cornhusker Speech and Debate: 3-Time Big Ten Champions. Aaron Duncan and team members talk about the Speech and Debate program (2014).

British National Debate vs. Nebraska Speech and Debate, E.N. Thompson Forum, 2017