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Speech & Debate Mock Trials

Want to become a national champion? Let Simpson Speech and Debate show you how. 

 The Simpson College Speech and Debate team is a nationally ranked, top 10 Pi Kappa Delta Program. It’s a dynamic group of students and coaches who place extremely well in competition, support each others efforts and love what they’re doing. Isn’t that something you’d want to be a part of? 

Statistics

Campus beauty shot
7

Pi Kappa Delta Debate National Championships (2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)

4

Number of students involved in 2013

70+

Students currently involved in Speech and Debate

Speech and Debate scholarships available 

 The Simpson College Speech and Debate Scholarship is awarded based on high school speech and debate experience. Consideration can also be given for other public speaking experience. Apply online today. 

Apply Now 

Coaches who care 

 Spencer Waugh leads Simpson’s program and has literally built it from the ground up. Starting with no students and no program when he arrived at Simpson, in less than six years, he built a powerhouse team with two national championships, one runner-up national champion, multiple individual student national champions and an expanding trophy case of impressive accolades from tournaments and competitions across the country. 

He is supported by a team of equally talented and dedicated coaches who work with each student to bring out their best, teaching them not only techniques to win tournaments but providing students with valuable presentation, critical thinking and teamwork skills necessary for success after college. 

Coaches Include

Building a team philosophy 

When you participate in Speech and Debate, you become a part of something bigger than yourself. You are an important part of the team, dedicated to helping each other be their best competitor and their best self. 

You learn how to understand all sides of an issue. That takes assistance from others and embracing different points of view. This helps team cohesiveness and helps you become a more educated and a better person and debater. 

The team will encourage you, challenge you and support you as you learn and grow and develop skills you will take with you and use for the rest of your life. Winning is important but team unity is what makes Simpson Speech and Debate special. 

A dedicated group of students participates on the Debate Team at Simpson each year. These students spend many hours prepping, practicing and debating each other prior to regional and national competitions in addition to their coursework and other extracurricular involvement.

Debate is a research and presentation process often involving competitions at the collegiate level. Students gather general knowledge about the provided competition topic and then dig deep into research and discover pros and cons to each side of the topic. They pick their best arguments and form a case. Then as a team, they practice competing against each other to prepare for interschool competition.

Simpson College debate team is an award-winning team that competes across the country. We believe in a comprehensive program where students can discover which style of debate best aligns to their long-term goals. The team provides great opportunities to get involved on campus and meet new people. By joining the team, you will increase your public speaking and critical thinking abilities while enhancing your creativity.

There are six forms of debate offered at Simpson College. They include:

  • Parliamentary (NPDA & PLUM)
  • International Public Debate (IPDA)
  • NFA Lincoln-Douglas
  • Student Congress
  • Public Forum
  • Worlds Schools

Pi Kappa Delta National Rankings

Year National Ranking
2013 21
2014 14
2015 5
2016 1
2017 2
2018 1
2019 1
2020 No tournament held
2021 1
2022 1
2023 1
2024 1

Participating in speech competitions helps you develop solid public speaking and critical thinking skills while building long-lasting friendships with fellow teammates. It’s an exciting and enriching complement to your academic work at Simpson.

We welcome students of all experience levels (including no experience) and abilities. All you need is a desire to learn new things and challenge yourself in new ways. Participation in speech at Simpson will require a commitment of time to hone your craft and become a better public speaker.

Individual competitive events offered at Simpson include:

  • Dramatic Interpretation
  • Dramatic Duo
  • Prose
  • Poetry
  • Program of Oral Interpretation
  • Impromptu
  • Persuasive
  • Informative
  • After Dinner
  • Extemporaneous
  • Communication Analysis
  • Duo Improv
  • Radio Broadcasting
  • Ted Talks
  • Editorial Impromptu
  • Professional Interview
  • Audition Monologue
  • PowerPoint Presentation

You don't have to have experience to participate

Don’t worry if you’ve never done this before. Many successful team members did not have speech and debate experiences in high school. You only need a desire to learn, grow, work hard and support one another to succeed. 

 

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Marisa Mayo

Marisa Mayo

"I have been involved in the speech and debate community for around 10 years and am beyond excited to be joining the Simpson program. As a college competitor for Southwest Baptist University, I had the pleasure of engaging with many Simpson students during debate tournaments. They were always the brightest, kindest, and most enthusiastic advocates within the community. I transitioned to the role of judging these competitions while earning my master’s degree at UCM and the students from Simpson continued to shine. I see this ongoing legacy as a coach and cannot explain to you how thankful I am for the opportunity to encourage such passionate, intelligent, and driven Simpson scholars. This activity has always been special to me because it provides students with a wonderful, safe and inclusive environment where individuals are encouraged to exchange ideas. This community fosters an open-minded environment that is competitive and educational while creating opportunities for lifelong friendships. This organization is truly life changing. I am looking forward to working with one of the most distinguished coaches, Spencer Waugh and the incredible students here at Simpson."

Marisa Mayo

Assistant Director of Speech & Debate

News & Events

Speech & Debate Dynasty Rolls On with National Championships

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