National Forensic Association

The National Forensic Association (NFA) is an American intercollegiate organization designed to promote excellence in individual events and debate. The NFA sponsors the NFA Nationals as well many other regional tournaments throughout the year. The 2023 NFA national tournament will be hosted by Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois. Founded in 1971, the NFA Nationals is dedicated to a full range of literature interpretation, public address, limited preparation, and Lincoln-Douglas debate.

Lincoln Douglas Debate

NFA is unique in its NFA-LD Policy format. High school debate is primarily divided into individual debaters engaged in values-oriented competition or teams of debaters in rapid-paced evidence-based policy analysis. Instead of choosing one of these formats, NFA offers evidence-based policy analysis in one-on-one competition.

LD Policy Format

At the beginning of each year a topic area and corresponding resolution is voted upon and subject to the entire season's debate. Each round competitors find themselves assigned to affirm or negate the resolution. Rather than affirm general ideas or values, affirmative competitors propose a particular policy to adopt as a representation of the resolution. Negative competitors will generally attempt to either demonstrate a lack of need for that policy or argue that said policy's disadvantages outweigh its benefits.

The first affirmative and negative speeches are constructive speeches, intended to put forth the arguments which will comprise the issues in dispute. A cross-examination period of three minutes follows each of these speeches in order to clarify arguments and gain information relevant to each competitor's position. Each competitor is then given a six-minute rebuttal in which their responses and development of the arguments are finalized. At the end of the round, the affirmative is given one final three-minute speech to review why their plan ought to be passed in support of the resolution. An assigned judge will then cast a ballot to affirm or negate the resolution.^[1]

Past LD National Championship Teams

1971 - Ohio University
1972 - Ball State University
1973 - Eastern Michigan University
1974 - Ohio University
1975 - Ohio University
1976 - Eastern Michigan University
1977 - Eastern Michigan University
1978 - Eastern Michigan University
1979 - Eastern Michigan University
1980 - Eastern Michigan University
1981 - Eastern Michigan University
1982 - Bradley University
1983 - Bradley University
1984 - Bradley University
1985 - Bradley University
1986 - Eastern Michigan University
1987 - Eastern Michigan University
1988 - Bradley University
1989 - Bradley University
1990 - Bradley University
1991 - Wayne State University
1992 - University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
1993 - Western Kentucky University
1994 - Bradley University
1995 - Illinois State University
1996 - Western Kentucky University
1997 - Ohio State University
1998 - Western Kentucky University
1999 - Western Kentucky University
2000 - Central Missouri State University
2001 - St. Anselm College
2002 - University of Pennsylvania
2003 - Missouri Southern State University
2004 - Creighton University
2005 - University of Missouri-Columbia
2006 - University of Missouri-Columbia
2007 - Creighton University
2008 - Drury University
2009 - Creighton University
2010 - Western Kentucky University
2011 - Western Kentucky University
2012 - Drury University
2013 - Western Kentucky University
2014 - Western Kentucky University
2015 - Western Kentucky University
2016 - Western Kentucky University
2017 - Western Kentucky University
2018 - Western Kentucky University
2019 - Missouri State University
2020 - Cancelled due to COVID
2021 - Western Kentucky University
2022 - University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2023 - University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Years 1991 - 2023 verified^[2]

Past LD Debate Resolutions

2022-2023: Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase restrictions on political campaigns for public office in one or more of the following areas: political communication, campaign spending, interest groups.
2021-2022: Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially curtail its counterterrorism operations in one or more of the following areas: statutory authorization for use of military force, air and/or drone strikes, combat and/or 127e programs.
2020-2021: Resolved: The United States federal government should implement immigration reform that removes substantial statutory restrictions on legal immigration into the United States.
2019-2020: The United States federal government should implement an energy policy that substantially increases investments in one or more of the following domestic energy sectors: nuclear, hydroelectric, geothermal, wind, solar.
2018-2019: Resolved: the United States federal government should substantially increase actions by United States Cyber Command to prevent complex catastrophe and/or protect critical infrastructure.
2017-2018: Resolved: the United States federal government should substantially increase the regulation of state and/or local police misconduct in the United States.
2016-2017: Resolved: the United States Federal Government should substantially reduce the role of the United States Southern Command in Latin America
2015-2016: Resolved: the United States Federal Government should substantially increase restrictions on bioprospecting.
2014-2015: Resolved: the United States Federal Government should increase its development of the Earth's moon in one or more of the following areas: energy, minerals, and/or water.
2013-2014: Resolved: The USFG should substantially reform elementary and/or secondary education in the U.S.
2012-2013: Resolved: the United States Federal Government should substantially increase assistance for organic and/or sustainable agriculture in the United States.
2011-2012: Resolved: the United States Federal Government should substantially change its trade policy and/or practices with the People’s Republic of China.
2010-2011: Resolved: the United States Federal Government should substantially reform the provision of mental health services to the chronically mentally ill.
2009-2010: Resolved: That the United States Federal Government should substantially reform domestic transportation infrastructure.
2008-2009: Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially increase its constructive engagement with Cuba.
2007-2008: Resolved: That the United States Federal Government should substantially increase assistance to the Greater Horn of Africa in one of the following areas: economic development, human rights protection, or public health.
2006-2007: Resolved: that the United States Federal Government should adopt a policy to significantly increase the production of energy from renewable sources.
2005-2006: Resolved: that the United States Federal Government should adopt a policy to increase the protection of human rights in one or more of the following nations: Tibet, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, East Timor, Indonesia, Philippines, and/or Pakistan.
2004-2005: Resolved: that the United States Federal Government should significantly reform the criminal justice system.
2003-2004: Resolved: that the United States Federal Government should substantially increase environmental regulations on industrial pollution.
2002-2003: Resolved: that the United States Federal Government should significantly increase assistance to United States residents living below the poverty line.
2001-2002: Resolved: That the United States Federal Government should significantly alter its policy for combating international terrorism.
2000-2001: Resolved: That the United States Federal Government should significantly increase restrictions on civil lawsuits.
1999-2000: Resolved: that the United States federal government should increase restrictions on the development, use, and/or sale of genetically modified organisms.
1998-1999: Resolved: that the US Federal Government should significantly increase its regulation of electronically mediated communication.
1997-1998: Resolved: that the United States federal government should significantly change its foreign policy toward Taiwan.
1996-1997: Resolved: that the U.S. Department of Education should require the implementation of more rigorous methods of teacher and/or student performance evaluation in secondary school systems.
1995-1996: Resolved: That participation in one or more of the six principal bodies of the United Nations should be significantly restricted by altering the U.N. charter and/or rules of procedure.
1994-1995: Resolved: That the FG should significantly reform the US public welfare system
1993-1994: Resolved: That the USFG should significantly alter laws for immigration into the US.
1992-1993: Resolved: That the terms of federal legislators should be limited to a specific duration.
1991-1992: Unknown
1990-1991: (Exact resolution not available; it was on Supreme Court justice tenure).

Members of the NFA Hall of Fame

Induction Class: Era: Name: College/University

April 2000 1970-1975 David Beal Ohio University
April 2000 1970-1975 Greg Denaro Southern Connecticut State University
April 2000 1970-1975 Jim Molnar Ohio University
April 2000 1970-1975 Judy Sturgis Hill Eastern Michigan University
April 2000 1970-1975 Danny Vice Eastern Michigan University
April 2000 1976-1980 Jon Capecci Eastern Michigan University
April 2000 1976-1980 Michael Garcia Eastern Michigan University
April 2000 1976-1980 Theresa McElwee Eastern Michigan University
April 2000 1976-1980 Donald Smith Southern Connecticut State University
April 2000 1976-1980 Elighie Wilson Ball State University
April 2000 1981-1985 Marco Benassi Bradley University
April 2000 1981-1985 Greg Dolph Bradley University
April 2000 1981-1985 Sam Marcosson Bradley University
April 2000 1986-1990 David Bickford Brown University
April 2000 1986-1990 Sarah Braun Bradley University
April 2000 1986-1990 Cam Jones Cornell University
April 2000 1986-1990 Stephanie Kaplan University of Wisconsin-Madison
April 2000 1986-1990 Kim Roe Eastern Michigan University
April 2000 1991-1995 Jason Berke Illinois State University
April 2000 1991-1995 Karon Bowers Bradley University
April 2000 1991-1995 George LaMaster Bradley University
April 2000 1991-1995 Kevin Minch Wayne State University
April 2000 1991-1995 Patrick O'Shaughnessy Bradley University
April 2000 1996-2000 August Benassi Bradley University
April 2000 1996-2000 Brian Davis Arizona State University
April 2000 1996-2000 Matt MacDonald Bradley University
April 2000 1996-2000 Jill Valentine Bradley University
April 2001 1996-2000 Ben Lohman Bradley University
April 2001 1996-2000 Chris Grove Illinois State University
April 2001 1991-1995 Stacy Nekula Illinois State University
April 2001 1991-1995 Mona Dworzak Illinois State University
April 2001 1986-1990 Celeste Devore Matheson Illinois State University
April 2001 1976-1980 William Allen Young University of Southern California
April 2001 1976-1980 Nancy Cartwright Ohio University
April 2001 1976-1980 Mark Hickman Marshall University
April 2002 1970-1975 Keith Semmel Mansfield State College
April 2002 1970-1975 Paul Van Dyne Penn State University
April 2002 1976-1980 Christina Collier Reynolds Bowling Green State University/Ohio University
April 2002 1981-1985 J.G. Harrington Rutgers University
April 2002 1986-1990 Penny Geurink O'Connor University of Northern Iowa
April 2002 1986-1990 Joel Schwartzberg Emerson College
April 2002 1991-1995 Andrew Billings Indiana University
April 2002 1991-1995 Adam Black Western Kentucky University
April 2002 1991-1995 Michael Malloy Saint Joseph's University
April 2002 1991-1995 Andy Wood St. Petersburg JC/Berry College
April 2002 1996-2000 Brendan Kelly Eastern Michigan University
April 2002 1996-2000 David Lindrum Berry College
April 2002 1996-2000 Robert Pieranunzi Indiana University
April 2003 1986-1990 Liesel Reinhart University of Colorado
April 2003 1976-1980 Kenda Creasey Dean Miami University
April 2006 1976-1980 Ray Quiel Eastern Michigan University
April 2006 1981-1985 Mitchell "Bucky" Fay University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
April 2006 1986-1990 Ken Klawitter Bradley University
April 2006 1991-1995 Rita Rahoi University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
April 2008 1981-1985 Tom Doyle Bradley University
April 2008 1996-2000 Jason Davidson Bradley University
April 2008 1996-2000 Sarah Meinen Jedd Bradley University
April 2009 1996-2000 Jaime Riewerts Bradley University
April 2009 2001-2005 Aaron Unseth University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
April 2010 1975-1979 Meg Langford George Mason University
April 2010 2001-2005 John Coleman Berry College
April 2010 2001-2005 Rob Barnhart Ohio University
April 2010 2001-2005 Erin Gallagher Barnhart Ohio University
April 2011 1991-1995 Jeff "Shappy" Seasholtz Eastern Michigan University
April 2014 1991-1995 Jeff Archibald Cornell University
April 2014 1996-2000 Kelly (Lloyd) Adriani Eastern Michigan University
April 2014 1996-2000 Ryan Hershberger Eastern Michigan University
April 2014 2001-2005 Nina Brennan Eastern Michigan University
April 2014 2001-2005 Amber (Neuenschwander) Price Eastern Michigan University
April 2014 2006-2010 Robert Cannon Glendale Community College - CA

External links

Official website

References

[1] s.bethel.edu

[2] "National Tournament Results - National Forensic Association".

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[2]