Speech and Debate at The Beach

The CSULB Forensics Team (Speech and Debate) has a long history of competitiveness and excellence. Several members of our program achieved national recognition, securing a championship in Policy Debate at the American Debate Association National Tournament and in Prose Interpretation at the International Forensics Association Invitational. These accomplishments distinguished our institution from peer programs, including those at Ivy League universities, with ours being the only state university represented among the top ten in Policy Debate.

Our program advanced to the Semifinals at both the National Debate Tournament and the CEDA National Debate Tournament, an organization co-founded by our first Director of Forensics, Jack Howe. Over the past decade, the team has experienced sustained growth in both size and competitive success. However, this progress coincides with budgetary reductions at the College level, creating significant challenges in supporting the travel, training, and resources required to maintain a nationally competitive program. This project seeks to secure funding for the upcoming competitive year, ensuring the program can continue to meet rising student interest while sustaining excellence at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Following years of notable achievement, we have seen a marked increase in applications from students seeking to compete and to coach, further underscoring the necessity of expanded financial support. Ultimately, this initiative aims to provide our students with opportunities for competitive distinction and personal development, while elevating the University’s standing among leading institutions such as USC, Harvard, Dartmouth, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Our program is frugal and efficient, with every dollar helping with:

• Competition necessities and resources
• Travel
• Entry fees
• Scholarships
• Office supplies
• Nutrition (meals on the road)

Participation in Speech and Debate entails significant financial commitments, and as a public institution competing against programs with the resources of private universities, we are committed to maximizing the impact of every dollar. Gifts of any size play a vital role in ensuring that Speech and Debate remains accessible to all students, regardless of financial background. With continued support from donors like you, we can sustain and expand our legacy as one of the nation’s premier public university programs.

Thank you for supporting Beach Forensics!