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The University of North Texas Debate Team is committed to excellence in public policy debate at the national and regional levels. The UNT Debate Team, directed by Brian Lain, participates actively in the NDT (National Debate Tournament), CEDA (Cross-Examination Debate Association), NFA (National Forensics Association), and IPDA (International Public Debate Association) and attends 15-20 tournaments each year. Since 1983, North Texas has qualified for the NDT 24 times. In the 2021-2022 season, the UNT Debate team was ranked 2nd in the nation by the National Forensics Association.

The North Texas Debate Team is engaged in several outreach programs designed to expand and support the academic debate community and foster argumentation education. These activities include a high school debate tournament, a college debate tournament and a summer debate and speech workshop for middle school and high school students (the Mean Green Comet Debate Institute).

Participation on the North Texas Debate Team is open to all undergraduate students in the university. The North Texas Debate Team is supported by Student Service Fees, the Department of Communication Studies and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

UNT Debate meets regularly at 5PM on Tuesdays in GAB 325.

If you are interested in joining the debate team please email our debate director at: brian.lain@unt.edu.

Debate Coaches:

  • Brian Lain- Director of Debate
  • Colin Quinn- Debate Coach
  • Holden Bukowsky- Graduate Assistant
  • Aaron Delgado- Graduate Assistant

Debate Graduate Assistants:

  • Holden Bukowsky
  • Aaron Delgado

2024-2025 Debate Officers:

  • Co-Presidents: Aliyanarah Fortuna & Zachary Jones
  • Vice President: Nadia Escatell
  • Scribe: Sophia Polma
  • Student Assistant: Zachary Jones
  • Graduate Student Coaches: Holden Bukowsky & Aaron Delgado
  • Debate Program Coordinator: Colin Quinn

  • Faculty Advisor: Dr. Brian Lain