The National Speech & Debate Association was created in 1925 to provide recognition and support for high school students participating in speech and debate activities.
Bruno E. Jacob, of Ripon College in Wisconsin, founds the National Forensic League (now National Speech & Debate Association) to motivate high school students to participate in speech and debate activities.
The first National Tournament is held at Ripon College, with 49 schools from 17 states in attendance.
The Great Depression doesn’t hinder growth: school membership reaches 400 chapters and CBS radio carries the championship debate.
World War II forces the League to suspend the National Tournament, except for the Student Congress, commended in a letter by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The National Forensic League celebrates its golden anniversary and moves into its own building after working on the Ripon College campus for 50 years.
The organization establishes the Hall of Fame, with Bruno E. Jacob becoming one of the first of 11 inductees.
The points system expands to include new degrees at 750 and 1,000 points. Point limits are raised to 500 per category and 1,000 overall.
The Academic All American Award is established to honor students who excel in both academics and speech and debate.
32 students from eight countries compete in the first international competitions of Ted Turner Public Forum and Congressional Debate.
The Code of Honor is established to emphasize the importance of respect, honor, leadership, service, and integrity.
Computers are allowed in Policy Debate, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Public Forum Debate, and Congressional Debate, as well as Extemporaneous Speaking preparation at the District and National Tournaments.
The 2020 National Tournament is held entirely online in the midst of the COVID-19 virus global pandemic. The event is the largest national speech and debate tournament ever held with more than 6,000 participants.
The NSDA Board of Directors votes to create a Competition and Rules Leadership Committee and move to an all-appointed Board of Directors to ensure diversity in identity, skill set, and background, as well as promote the organization’s sustainability and vision/mission fulfillment.
The National Speech & Debate Association is founded in 1925 by Bruno E. Jacob at Ripon College in Ripon, WI.
One hundred schools are chartered in 1926. In 1927, a monthly Bulletin, forerunner of Rostrum, makes its debut. The first chapter manual is published in 1928. Jeweled pins to designate degrees and gold insignia for instructors are authorized in 1930.
A new schedule of points for contests is established, and the requirement for the diamond key award is set at 1,500 points and five years of coaching. The degree fee is abolished and the membership fee is raised to $3. Sponsorship of district Congresses is limited to one a year in each district. Rules for entry in the National Tournament are revised to maintain its size.
“Now with 1,100 chapters and over 900 affiliates, the League faced the challenge of growth—serving the larger number of schools and still retaining the features which made it grow. I could look back on 42 years of service to 260,000 young Americans and forward to continuing opportunities for developing articulate young leaders for the American Way of Life.” – Bruno E. Jacob
The National Speech & Debate Association founder Bruno Ernst Jacob was born in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, on September 9, 1899. He graduated from Manitowoc High School in 1918 and attended Ripon College, earning his B.A. in Economics. As a college student, Bruno created a pocket handbook entitled “Suggestions for the Debater,” which directly led to the founding of the National Forensic League (National Speech & Debate Association).
After graduating from college in 1922, Bruno taught social studies and coached debate at Chippewa Falls High School in Wisconsin. He later served as Assistant Professor of Speech at Ripon College. In addition to teaching, Bruno worked to develop the National Speech & Debate Association. From 1930 until his retirement, Bruno worked closely with the Committee on Discussion and Debate of the National University Extension Association. He joined with the T.M. Association Committee to promote the growth of speech and debate across the country.
In 1950, Bruno resigned from his teaching position in order to fully commit to the National Speech & Debate Association. Before adding a full-time staff member in 1953, he directed the Association with only office help from students at Ripon College and volunteers from his family. Bruno retired in 1969 and became one of the first members of the Association’s Hall of Fame in 1978.
Bruno’s friends knew him as a modest and well-traveled man. When asked for information for his profile, he said, “Keep it short—very short.” He also visited and bought a postcard from every county in every state and traveled to all the Western European countries, Australia, New Zealand, and Africa.
The National Speech & Debate Association will always be grateful for Bruno’s contributions to our community.