USC Annenberg Trojan Debate Squad

Brian McBride, beloved USC debate coach and revered musician, dies at 53 McBride will be remembered as a respected coach for the Trojan Debate Squad and one-half of the ambient music duo Stars of the Lid

Our hearts are broken to learn that our coach, mentor and friend, Brian McBride passed away. Brian was unlike anyone else. He was funny, quirky, sarcastic, incredibly smart, and so kind. Regardless of when it happened, you didn’t forget that you spent time with Brian. He left a big impression on each of us.
So many Trojans benefitted from his genius and his kindness. These photos are just a small sample of the many wonderful memories. We are so fortunate to have been able to know Brian and so deeply saddened.
The Trojan family extends its deepest condolences to his friends, family and everyone in the Texas, Northwestern, Redlands debate families.
https://pitchfork.com/news/stars-of-the-lids-brian-mcbride-dies-at-53/

Congratulations to Julian Kuffour & Kevin Sun who, late last night, WON the Texas Tournament. They defeated Michigan in the finals and Dartmouth in the semis. This is the last major invitational of the season (some folks will remember this as the Northwestern tournament) and they finished first of the 150 open division teams. Congratulations to Julian, Kevin, Director Kennedy, Jazmine and the whole Trojan Squad. Fight On!!!!!!!!!

Trojan Debate Squad Mock Demonstration
Thursday, April 29
4 – 5:15 p.m. PDT

Please join TDS Director, Dr. Sean Kennedy, for a mock debate demonstration featuring two of this year’s top USC policy debaters, Julian Kuffour and Kyung Min (Kevin) Sun, who were octofinalists at the 2021 National Debate Tournament. During this activity, you will get a sneak peek at their arguments and online debate's unique format. TDS alumna, Ashley M. Williams, and former directors David Damus, and Tom Hollihan will serve as special guest judges. The event will include opening remarks by former director Gordon Stables, and will conclude with a Q&A and an opportunity to connect with fellow TDS alumni and enthusiasts.

RSVP: https://uscannenberg.formstack.com/forms/trojan_debate_squad_demonstration

Meet the new Director of Debate - Sean Kennedy
Please join us for a conversation with Sean Kennedy (PhD, University of Kansas), newly-appointed Director of the Trojan Debate Squad, USC’s oldest chartered student organization. During this intimate virtual gathering with debate alumni, Sean will share more about his background as a nationally competitive debater and coach, his long-range vision for the squad and how the team is adapting in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Online via Zoom, Wednesday, December 2nd, 12 – 1 p.m. PDT
https://uscannenberg.formstack.com/forms/trojan_debate_squad_meet_the_director

We are very proud to congratulate USC KS, Julian Kuffour & Kevin Sun, for qualifying for The 74th National Debate Tournament. They qualified as the first team out of District 1. We had a great weekend, which also included Sarah Kim being part of the teams who closed out of the finals of the Open division. This picture (taken earlier in the year) is Kevin and Julian flanked by their remarkable assistant coaches Reece Aguilar and Jazmine Pickens. This has been a very unusual season but we are so proud of our remarkable students and assistant coaches. Fight On!

The Annneberg Trojan Debate Squad returned to campus early this morning from the 73rd National Debate Tournament hosted by the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Congratulations to Jerry Wang, Julian Kuffour, Zane Dille, and Danish Khan for qualifying and debating at this year's National Debate Tournament! The debaters were in a break round and had some great wins against our competitors from Dartmouth College, West Virginia University, George Mason University, Emporia State University, and the University of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Thank you to the University of Southern California and USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism for their continued support!

Congratulations to Zane Dille, Danish Khan, Julian Kuffour, and Jerry Wang on qualifying to the 73rd National Debate Tournament hosted by the University of Minnesota!

Thank you to the University of Southern California and USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism for their continued support of !

This weekend the Annenberg Trojan Debate Squad hosted and competed at the 2019 USC IV Debate Tournament. Congratulations to Niroop Rajaashekar, Hannah Hunt, Brendan Morey, and Meera Keskar on
becaming semifinalists in the varsity division!

Congratulations to Grant Go, Eric Lu, Phillip Reutter and Alex Balasky on becaming finalists in the novice division!

Phillip Reutter and Alex Balasky became CHAMPIONS at the 2019 USC IV Debate Tournament novice division!

And, special THANK YOU to our alumni Nisha Kale and Matthew Schaupp for volunteering their time, energy, and knowledge to run a successful tournament!

Overall, great weekend for the squad! Thank you to the University of Southern California and USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism for their continued support!