HOUSTON, Texas – The debate team at Texas Southern University continues to break barriers and create history.
On Tuesday, TSU announced that its internationally renowned debate team won the 35th Annual International Forensics Association’s Speech and Debate Tournament in Incheon, South Korea.
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“Our team has worked tirelessly honing their skills as debaters while representing Texas Southern on the grandest of stages,” said head debate coach Dr. Gloria Batiste-Roberts. “This championship reflects the dedication we see daily. I could not be prouder of this accomplishment for this group of scholars and our university. It is a true embodiment of excellence in achievement.”
Out of 27 competing teams, TSU took home the first-place sweepstakes award and earned 21 individual accolades! This marks the team’s fifth IFA championship and is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and legacy of excellence set by the late Dr. Thomas F. Freeman. pic.twitter.com/ZdTpuYkOVl
— Texas Southern University (@TexasSouthern) March 10, 2025
Out of 27 teams to compete in the tournament, including students from Vanderbilt University, Southern Methodist University, and Bradley University, TSU not only won first place overall but won 21 additional awards, including first place in poetry dramatic interpretation and duo dramatic interpretation. They also earned fourth and fifth place in the parliamentary debate speakers’ awards.
“When we competed in this competition in Ireland last year, the result wasn’t what we prepared for and it motivated us to work harder throughout the year to be ready for this moment,” said Debate Team member Jaila Hampton. “It was gratifying to compete at the level to which we knew we were capable. We are excited to bring another international championship back to Texas Southern.”
This win marks the debate team’s fifth IFA championship, the most recent occurring in 2018.
Established in 1949 by the late Dr. Thomas F. Freeman, the TSU Debate Team provides students with a platform for forensic arts, including parliamentary debate, Lincoln Douglas Debate, persuasive oratory, informative speaking, after-dinner speaking, poetry, prose, dramatic and duo dramatic interpretation, impromptu and extemporaneous speaking, and Reader’s Theater.
“We won first place in all four of the tournaments we’d been on,” Dr. Batiste-Roberts added. “But then to top it off with the championship was a wonderful and heartwarming experience for the students, and for me because I’m reminded always of our founder Dr. Thomas F. Freeman, who brought so much to the debate team as its founder and coach for over 70 years. He passed in 2020, but his spirit is still alive with us.”
The team was accompanied by seven assistant coaches - Jordon Williams, Sondera Malry, Atty. Marcus Ester, Jessica Johnson, Chantule Baccus, Mikayla Wallace, Trendi Nguyen – all Debate Team alumni.
Also, during the tournament, Nguyen was elected to the IFA executive committee, where she will serve as International Liaison.