Check out what's new, Coach!

This is the last regular coach newsletter of the school year! If you're headed to Nationals, you'll begin receiving weekly updates in our Nationals newsletter next week. Thank you for another great season! Don't miss these final reminders as we wrap up the school year. 

Recognition Deadlines

Class of 2026: The points entry deadline for the class of 2026 is July 15. All points for graduated students must be entered by this date. National Tournament points will be added for you if applicable. We will remind you again in July. 

Service Points: Students who earn and enter 200 points in a given school year are eligible for the Speaking and Service Award. These points must be entered by July 31 for students to be eligible for the 2025-2026 award!

Diamonds and Service Awards: The cutoff for coaches to be recognized at Nationals for Diamonds or Distinguished Coaching Awards is May 15, so enter any lingering points or citations if you're close to your next award! Learn more about coach awards »

Competition and Rules Leadership Committee Election Results

Congratulations to the four new elected members of the NSDA Competition and Rules Leadership Committee:

• Brian Alford from A & M Consolidated High School, representing the Texas Region
• Bo Lint from American Heritage School, Palm Beach Campus, in Florida, representing the Southeast Region (FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, VA)
• Stephanie Owen from Widefield High School in Colorado, representing the Mountain/Southwest Region (AZ, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT)
• Kathy Tobin from Willard High School in Missouri, representing the Southern Midwest Region (AL, AR, LA, MO, MS, OK, TN)

These elected members will serve on the standing committee that impacts decisions related to NSDA competition and rules from August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2029. Review the full election results and learn more about the Competition and Rules Leadership Committee »

Get Paid to Share Your Coaching Expertise

We are looking for subject matter experts to create engaging materials on a variety of topics, including competition events, running a team, and teaching classes. If you are interested in getting paid to create and share materials, fill out this interest form.  

Writing Letters of Recommendation for Students 

Speech and debate coaches are well positioned to write exceptional college and scholarship recommendation letters, and are often asked to do so. This guide is designed to help you identify, articulate, and translate the skills students develop through speech and debate into compelling, evidence-based college recommendations.

National Tournament Topics are Live! 

Topics for Nationals are live! Start preparing if you're headed to Richmond this summer, or use the topics or themes in your final practices or classes of the year. The Congress docket will be available May 15. 

Introducing Ginny, the Nats26 Plushie!

Each year, we release a stuffed plushie branded for that year's National Tournament, and they've become extremely popular with attendees!

Say hello to Ginny, the 2026 National Tournament plushie! Named for Virginia, she’s headed to historic Richmond, where the past was shaped and the next generation carries it forward through the power of ideas. Catch Ginny and the rest of our exclusive 2026 National Tournament items at the NSDA Store this June!

Nationals Funding Opportunity

Operation Bluebonnet, a program from Outreach Debate and Katy Rising Debate Academy, helps subsidize tournament costs for students in need of financial assistance. Visit the website to apply for support for Nationals by Tuesday, May 12, or donate to support the program. 

This program is not a service of the NSDA. Please contact felikslin77@gmail.com with any questions. 

Middle School Nationals Help Desk

If you have questions about registering for Middle School Nationals or what to expect during the week, pop in to our help desk for quick answers! Join us Monday, May 11 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. CT. 

Prepay for Your 2026-2027 NSDA Membership

You can now prepay for next year's membership! With the new flat fee membership model, your $349 membership includes unlimited student and coach membership and all NSDA materials—no Resource Package needed! When you prepay, your account will be credited and you can apply it beginning in August. To generate an invoice to prepay: 

1. Log in to your Account.
2. Visit the School Purchases tab.
3. Toggle on Prepaid school membership dues for next year. 
4. Select Create Invoice and Proceed to Checkout. 
5. Pay the invoice by credit card, ACH payment, purchase order, or check. Please note: Prepaid memberships are not refundable or transferable. The credits must be used for the type of membership indicated at checkout, not other team expenses. 

Prep for Next School Year with Start Here

If you are taking on a class for the first time next year, check out our Start Here lesson plan series. It features 14 grab-and-go lesson plan collections for interp, public address, and debate. They include a mix of activities, lecture, video, group work, assessments, and more.

Access the materials as you prepare for next year—they're included with your NSDA membership! 

Share Your Plans for Next Year

Are you retiring? Leaving coaching? Changing schools? If you're making a change for the 2026-2027 school year, share the details with us! That way we can continue to support your speech and debate program by advocating for or onboarding your replacement. 

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