What better way to hone communication skills than to participate in debate competitions? As part of the debate team, you will learn to support your viewpoints and spot fallacies in argument — useful skills in a wide range of careers and situations.
Through the years, Ball State’s debate team has become one of the most competitive teams in the region and the nation. The team sponsors speaker forums and audience debates as well as visits from international debate teams. The Ball State debate program competes in the National Educational Debate Association (NEDA).
Being a member of the debate team taught me skills that have helped me in all aspects of life. From communication with friends, to my work, and even in other organizations, debate has helped me thrive.
—Isaac Mitchell, ‘19
NEDA All American Debater
Want to Join?
Contact the director of debate, Mike Bauer, for more information on how to be involved with the debate team.
Contact Director
Meet the Current Team
In March 2019, the Ball State Debate Team won the National Educational Association National Championship – the eleventh time Ball State has walked away with the award in the last twelve years. The first place award was just one of 18 awards that the debate team won during the national championship.
Debate has given me a lot of direction in what I want to do with the rest of my life. It allowed me to express myself in a way I didn’t know that I could. As I prepare for grad school, debate has opened up a lot of doors that I didn’t even know were there. When it all comes down to it, debate changed my life.
—Lindsey Dixon, ‘10
NEDA All American Debater
Recent Debate team awards
Award |
Year |
National Champion Team Sweepstakes, National Educational Debate Association | 2019 |
1st Place, Indiana State Debate Tournament | 2019 |
National Champion Team Sweepstakes, National Educational Debate Association | 2018 |
1st Place, Indiana State Debate Tournament | 2018 |
National Champion Team Sweepstakes, National Educational Debate Association | 2017 |
1st Place, Indiana State Debate Tournament | 2017 |
National Champion Team Sweepstakes, National Educational Debate Association | 2016 |
1st Place, Indiana State Debate Tournament | 2016 |
National Champion Team Sweepstakes, National Educational Debate Association | 2015 |
I've enjoyed the chance to represent my teammates and my school, sort of like an athlete. As a debater, I had to work on keeping my thoughts short and concise, making my thoughts relate to an audience of average people, and showing that audience why they should care about what I'm saying… debating has helped me to sharpen the skills I'll need for the career I hope to have.
—R.J. Crace, '10
NEDA All American Debater