Articles about the Team

UK's third place showing was made possible by numerous individual performances in each of the team's events.

UK Speech and Debate Places Third at Butler University's Bulldog Battle

The University of Kentucky Speech and Debate Team traveled to Butler University this past weekend and placed third at the Bulldog Battle Speech and Debate Tournament. This year, 14 schools representing four different states took part in the competition. Many of these teams are nationally ranked which made for a challenging tournament in many of the team’s events.

After Strong Semester UK Debate Team Members Ranked 3rd in the Nation

The University of Kentucky Debate Team is no stranger to success and the group's hard work is being rewarded. The team is currently ranked as one of the nation’s best teams with the sophomore duo of Dan Bannister and Anthony Trufanov earning a number three ranking from the American Debate Association.

Winning Streak Continues for UK Speech and Debate

The University of Kentucky Speech and Debate Team finished the fall semester of competition with another win at Transylvania University’s WYRD Invitational held Dec. 1-2. This is the third such victory for the team this semester. UK also won the John G. Fee Invitational held at Berea College and the Chief Justice Invitational held at Marshall University in October.

UK Speech and Debate Wins Chief Justice Invitational

For the first time in the team’s history, the University of Kentucky Speech and Debate Team has won the prestigious Chief Justice Invitational tournament held by Marshall University. The tournament regularly hosts some of the top speech and debate teams in the nation, including current national champions Western Kentucky University. This year, 13 schools traveled to Huntington, West Virginia, for the competition.

UK Speech and Debate are Grand Champions at Berea College

For the fifth year running, the University of Kentucky Speech and Debate Team won the John G. Fee Invitational speech and debate tournament held annually by Berea College. This year, 17 schools representing seven states participated in this two-day competition. UK earned the title of grand champion by amassing the most points from the speech and debate halves of the competition.

UK Speech and Debate Team at the Fall Fiesta Tournament.

UK Speech and Debate Starts Season Off Strong

The University of Kentucky Speech and Debate Team started the new season on a strong note by finishing in seventh place at the Fall Fiesta Tournament hosted by Western Kentucky University. This tournament is the season opener for many of the top nationally ranked teams including the University of Alabama, Illinois State University, William Carey University and the hosts and reigning national champions, Western Kentucky University.

The UK Intercollegiate Debate Team arrived on campus a week before classes and spent 70 hours in the office preparing for the season.

UK Intercollegiate Debate Team Prepares for Strong Season

The University of Kentucky Intercollegiate Debate Team is just over a week away from the opening of their competitive season and expectations are strong. The top two partnerships from last season return this year to lead a strong team. The sophomore duo of Dan Bannister and Anthony Trufanov return from a historic freshman campaign where they were ranked 13th in the nation. Seniors Theo Noparstak and Amar Adam hope to build on their 17th ranking from a year ago.

UK Speech and Debate Places 9th at Pi Kappa Delta Nationals

For the third year in a row, the University of Kentucky Speech and Debate Team has placed in the top 10 at the Pi Kappa Delta national tournament. Ten students representing UK traveled to Boise State University to participate in the 50th biennial National Tournament and Convention. Seventy-two programs from 30 states entered over 2,000 public speaking events and debate teams at this competition.

Students from UK won four of the championship titles across these events, setting a new team record for best performance.

UK Speech and Debate Places Second at State Tournament

For the third year in a row, the University of Kentucky Speech and Debate Team has placed second at the Kentucky Forensic Association State Championship Speech and Debate Tournament. This competition tests students in 13 public speaking events and two forms of debate. Students from UK won four of the championship titles across these events, setting a new team record for best performance.