Debate at DBU
Beginning a competitive schedule in 2021, the Dallas Baptist University Debate Program has quickly established itself as a dominant forensics program on a national scale. Since its launch, the team has ranked among the top three universities represented in the International Public Debate Association's most competitive divisions, with debaters bringing home nearly 300 awards, 29 championship titles, and seven national championship titles in only two years. Overall, DBU Debate is currently ranked as the first-place Scholastic program out of all 200 competing universities in the United States; a direct byproduct of the team's commitment to integrity, excellence, and quality argumentation.
At DBU Debate, the cultivation of informed thought is seen as a Biblical directive tied back to 2 Timothy 1:7. Here, Christians are encouraged to share the light of God, being told that "God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind." Through a focus on training and involvement in competitive debate, team membership seeks to fulfill this charge by providing valuable experience in public speaking, application of logic to complex issues, and improved rhetorical expression.
ABOUT THE TEAM
DBU Debate's 20-25 students have the opportunity to travel nationwide for tournaments four times per semester, earning awards and scholarships through excellence in both individual and team competitions. As academically-sanctioned events, tournaments are fully funded by the university, with students enjoying pre-paid travel, meals, and lodging.
All accepted students are eligible for Dallas Baptist University's Debate Scholarship, totaling $1,000 per year towards tuition for each member. To receive this scholarship, members are required to attend weekly Thursday meetings from 7:00-9:00 p.m., compete at six preliminary tournaments during the academic year, and attend the IPDA National Championship Tournament in the Spring. As a precursor to competitive travel, newly accepted students must complete at least six practice rounds against teammates.
Mission Statement
DBU Debate exists to inspire speakers for Christ using formal debate as a tool to strengthen civil skills and confidence in faith.
ABOUT THE LEAGUE
The Dallas Baptist University Debate Program competes on a regional and national level through the International Public Debate Association (IPDA), a widely respected collegiate forensics league. Offering a style of extemporaneous competition, debate in the IPDA is characterized by a 30-minute preparation time, frequently changing topics and short speeches. Debates are 1v1 (with an additional 2v2 format available for advanced students) and competitors are separated into divisions ranging from novice to professional. Students compete against more than 1,400 debaters in a field of 200 universities nationwide, enjoying stylistic diversity on the fastest-growing collegiate forensics circuit.
Novice Division
By far the largest category represented, the Novice Division serves to provide a platform for students with no previous debate background. Welcoming those new to the activity, novice students are exclusively paired against others who have also begun their debate experience in college, with an emphasis placed on learning and technique.
Junior Varsity Division
The Junior Varsity Division is home to the most diverse group of skill sets IPDA. Directed toward students with either high school or minimal collegiate debate experience, JV brings competitors together who share familiarity with the activity. Commonly, students with a history in Stoa, the NCFCA, or the NSDA begin in this category.
Varsity Division
As the most competitive division on the circuit, participation in the Varsity Division requires extensive debate experience. In most cases, varsity students have undergone several years of collegiate competition, preparing them for debates that highlight quick thinking, adaptivity, and rhetorical mastery.
Professional Division
Serving as a catch-all to each of the other individual categories, the Professional Division places a focus on inclusivity. Here, competition is not only available to undergraduate students, but expands to anyone-graduate students, doctoral students, and professors included. While small, this division gathers a wide range of educational backgrounds and is usually characterized by argumentation that emphasizes philosophical concepts.
Team Division
The Team Division, otherwise known as "Team IPDA" or "TIPDA," offers adjusted times and a unique two-on-two debate format, distinguishing it from all other divisions with an emphasis on teamwork. Through merging undergraduate students from each of the four individual categories into one open division, TIPDA offers an increased skill cap that renders it best suited for students with previous debate experience.
STORIES ABOUT DEBATE
In just their second year together, the Patriot Debate Team has been named the #1 Scholastic program in the United States after competing in nine tournaments, debating 1,129 collective rounds, and bringing home 185 awards throughout their 2022-2023 season.
The Dallas Baptist University Debate Team finished their first debate season ranking as the number 5 overall debate program in the United States from the International Public Debate Association.
The vision of the DBU Debate Team is “To inspire speakers for Christ using formal debate as a tool to strengthen civil skills and confidence in faith.”