Our debate program, for a major part of its existence, has been ranked within the top twenty-five programs in the country. In 1995 and 1996 UTSA finished 4th in the final CEDA Sweepstakes rankings. Before that time, UTSA repeatedly placed 1st in the South-Central CEDA region. In three of the last five years, UTSA placed 1st in the Texas Intercollegiate Forensic Association's State Championship Tournament.
The UTSA Debate program is committed to providing equal opportunities for all people interested in debate, regardless of experience, age, race, gender, sexual preference, ethnic traits or class characteristics. We welcome all, and we believe the critical thinking, research, and communication skills inherent in the debate experience are liberating and supportive of an open society.
UTSA has fielded many nationally recognized debaters over the years: Doug Roubidoux (now Director of Forensics at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh) was 10th Speaker at the '96 national championship and a CEDA Debate All-American. He and his partner, Marco Suarez (Texas restaurateur) debated through quarters in the championship tournament. Joey Boyle (All-American Debater in 1996, subsequently, Director of Forensics at Fort Hayes University in Kansas, and now a student in the University of Houston Law School) and Lorena Donnellan (reading teacher and widely remembered as one of the fastest and clearest debaters in America) finished their debate careers in triple octas at '96 Nationals. Lorena also debated with Susan Romanow (a computer consultant and owner of the Susan Romanow Debate Scholarship). Lorena and Susan dropped in quarters at Novice nationals in Baltimore. Robert Jones and Leigh Mayo (co-owners of Bonsai Debate Company) were outround debaters at CEDA Nationals and Junior Nationals in 1997. John and Cassie Lemaster (parents, students and teachers in the Houston area) debated one semester for UTSA, winning many awards, including a 1st in the Junior Division at Colorado College. Gary Kitchen (UTSA graduate student) and Mark Cole (Better Business Bureau administrator), both remembered by many debaters for their winning ways in the mid-80's, went 8-0 at the highly competitive Univ. of Southern California Winter Break Tournament. Another UTSA graduate, Casey Magan (Houston attorney) both debated and competed in elimination rounds in individual events at the American Forensics Association's National Championship in 1985. Her debate partner, Anabelle Ardid (UTSA Director of Food Services) was also successful in both debate and individual events. Two UTSA debaters, Sherry Schultz and Adrianna Martinez, caused quite a stir on the novice circuit in the early 90's. Because they were aggressive and refused to lose debate rounds, their competitors dubbed them "The Texas Bulldogs."