Coach,

We're three weeks into 2026 and so many things are happening in the speech and debate community! From state tournaments and Springboard Scrimmages to district qualifiers, speech and debate is as exciting as ever. Before we know it, it will be time to register for the National Tournament! If you have any questions about deadlines, check out the District Chair Deadline list. As you move through this busy time, if you need anything from the NSDA staff, please don't hesitate to email or give us a call! 

Join Us for the Next Listen and Lead #3: Directing District Tournaments

District leaders, this is your chance to connect, learn, and share! Our upcoming session is Monday, January 26 at 7:00 p.m. CT. This session brings district leaders together for a focused, interactive conversation on Tabroom-specific procedures, important reminders, and how to navigate protests effectively at your district tournament series. Bring your questions, share your ideas, and be part of the conversation.

Don't Forget: Legislation Submissions for Nationals are due February 5!

🔈Empower your students to shape the conversation at the 2026 National Speech & Debate Tournament by encouraging them to submit original legislation for the Congressional Debate docket.

Any middle or high school NSDA member may submit legislation directly for the Congressional Debate docket, regardless of national qualification status. Students whose legislation is selected will receive recognition in Rostrum, an award after the tournament, and a $100 scholarship. The submission deadline is February 5, 2026. 

Learn more and submit here: https://speechanddebate.org/congress-submission

District Tournament Office Hours

Have a question about your upcoming district tournament? Whether you need to know how to interpret district specific rules, which Tabroom.com settings to use, or general tabulation questions, we are here to help! If interested, use this link to sign up. 

Meet the Team: Q&A with Ryan Tullis, Developer of Tournament Solutions

Please introduce yourself!

I am a former high school debater from Minnesota who went into the software world after graduating. I am excited to be back in the speech and debate community and combine two passions in one job! I am based out of St. Paul and love to stay busy with all the museums, movies, parks, and shows going on around the Twin Cities.

What does being a developer include?

My role includes a little bit of everything that it takes to build and maintain projects like Tabroom.com but my main focus is on rewriting Tabroom.com into a more modern tech stack.

What are you most excited about for your first year on staff?

I'm excited to get my hands dirty and soak it all in! I am a big believer in the idea that to make great software you have to be a user yourself, so I'm am excited to dig into all the nooks and crannies of Tabroom.com I never experienced as a student.

District Spotlight: Puget Sound’s Approaches to Building Team Identity

- by Kelley Kirkpatrick, District Chair and 2025 High School Coach of the Year

As soon as the qualifying season concludes, the focus of Washington’s elite speakers and debaters shifts from individual competition to the collective success of Team Puget Sound. This transition is rooted in a deep sense of camaraderie between coaches and students that flourishes long before the trek to Nationals. To celebrate their achievement, every qualifier receives a unique, whimsical memento—ranging from a symbolic cactus to a custom-designed "birthday corn" fidget toy (designed by Newport Coach Dr. Megan Troutman’s husband!). These tokens serve as the first stitch in the fabric of a unified team, signaling that while students may come from different schools, they head to the national stage as one cohesive unit.

The momentum carries through to the tournament itself, where traditions transform a high-stakes competition into a shared celebration. Upon arrival, students don their official Team Puget Sound apparel, visually cementing their identity among thousands of competitors. Whether it’s the annual Tuesday night team dinner or the newfound tradition of gifting miniature Sasquatches to opponents as a gesture of "Pacific Northwest" sportsmanship, the goal remains the same: to foster a supportive environment. By working together, Washington coaches and students ensure that our representatives are not just competing against the powerhouse teams of the Midwest, California, and the South, but are thriving on the big stage as a family.

Reminder: Prepaid Membership Timeline for 2025-2026

As we prepare to transition to a flat free membership model for next school year, please review the adjusted timeline for prepaid membership purchases and use. 

Last day to purchase prepaid student memberships for 2025-2026: February 6, 2026
Last day to use any prepaid memberships for 2025-2026: March 31, 2026

In early April, any existing prepaid memberships will be converted to account credits for future application to membership expenses or National Tournament entry fees. At the same time, we plan to enable the purchase of $349 flat-rate prepaid school memberships for next school year for programs that have room in their existing budgets. 

Thank you for your patience and support as we transition our systems to accommodate the new membership model. For more information, review this slide deck.

Good luck to your teams at your district tournaments!

Questions? We're here to help! Email info@speechanddebate.org or call (920) 748-6206.

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