UL Speech and Debate Team

Its Summer Workshop Day. Bring on the caffeine!

Assistant Alumni Coach Jacob Leger is a force! Coaching Middle School, High School and our students is a superhuman task that he does with empathy, passion and student centered leadership. In this journey Jacob has also been paramount in mentoring young coaches and graduate students. Graduate Student Emily Guidry is also a community standout working with DTSMA and our own students while earning her masters. Congratulations DTSMA we are so proud to have shared the journey with you!

Team Louisiana shared a meet up with David Begnaud, CBS Anchor as well as LHSSL and UL Alumni. In a real and honest conversation, students and coaches heard about advocacy, the willingness to change your mind and were able to ask David questions about his life, career and forensics days. David challenged students to continue to find ways to show up in the speech community and give back.

Tune in at 5:00pm ET to see DTSMA student Gavin Crayton, coached by Assistant Alumni Coach Jacob Leger and Grad Assistant Emily Guidry compete in POI Finals!

https://live.speechanddebate.org/

Livestream Coverage 2026 | National Speech & Debate Association Watch livestream coverage of finals and awards from the 2026 National Tournament starting Thursday, June 18!

Thank you to Alumni Jamie Parker for hosting our end of the year social. That's a wrap on 125, we'll be back next month as we begin our summer workshop series for our 126th season.

She has done it! Congrats to 2026 Graduate Ashlee Trahan!

Alumni Coach Jacob Leger, not only puts in the time for our students but he does it while also working with a team of extrordinary students at David Thibodeaux STEM Magnet Academy.

Having even one NSDA National Champion is something many coaches never achieve, and DTSMA is going for a THREEPEAT!

Help us support these students on their journey to Richmond, VA this summer by spreading the word and showing up to shop!

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette College of Liberal Arts celebrated students and faculty for their 2025-26 achievements at a ceremony today.

UL Speech and Debate reached a milestone anniversary this year, celebrating our 125th season. Our undergraduates, graduate assistants and coaches put in over 1000 hours this year culminating in 67 placings, 8 Individual Overall awards, 7 team sweepstakes titles and a Top 24 at the American Forensics Association National Speech Tournament. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Department of Communication, The College of Liberal Arts and the alumni who rallied behind us to ensure that our funds would carry us around the U.S. this season. As we look ahead, we are reminded that anything is possible when your community is just as invested as you are.

Pictured: Graduate Assistant, Ethan Savino, Graduating Senior, Ashlee Trahan and Director of Forensics, Dr. Masey Hammons