Student Life
Debate
"The best part of the debate experience is that you are having so much fun, you forget how much you're learning."
— Hershel Mehta (MBA '10, Stanford University '14)
— Hershel Mehta (MBA '10, Stanford University '14)
The MBA Debate and Forensic Program is one of the oldest and most respected programs in the nation. Tournament travel offers MBA students the chance to meet and interact with top students from across the country. The competitive challenges and close cooperation with teammates keep our students excited and challenged.
MBA Debaters have claimed championships at major national speech and debate tournaments, including: Emory University, The Glenbrooks of Chicago, St. Mark's School of Texas, Greenhill School of Dallas, University of California at Berkeley, University of Michigan, and many others. In 1999 and 2020, MBA claimed the national championships at the Tournament of Champions in Lexington, KY. The team has finished as runner's up the last two seasons, in 2023 and 2024. In 2019 and 2023, MBA won the National Debate Coaches Association national championship. MBA has also been awarded the prestigious David P. Baker Cup in recognition of being ranked the #1 team in the country during the 2016-2017, 2018-2019, and 2019-2020 competitive seasons. In 2005, MBA made history by being the first school to take both 1st and 2nd place at the National Forensics League National Tournament. MBA students have won the 1st Year National Championship many times, including most recently in 2015, 2016, and 2021.
MBA Debate is guided by four full-time teachers and coaches. Mr. Josh Clark serves as Director of Debate and Forensics. Our talented coaching staff includes Mr. Kevin Hamrick, Mr. Alex Brown, and Mr. Nick Lepp.
In January of each year, MBA hosts the prestigious Billy Tate Southern Bell Forum, an elite invitational event that brings together the top competitors from across the nation.
MBA Debaters have claimed championships at major national speech and debate tournaments, including: Emory University, The Glenbrooks of Chicago, St. Mark's School of Texas, Greenhill School of Dallas, University of California at Berkeley, University of Michigan, and many others. In 1999 and 2020, MBA claimed the national championships at the Tournament of Champions in Lexington, KY. The team has finished as runner's up the last two seasons, in 2023 and 2024. In 2019 and 2023, MBA won the National Debate Coaches Association national championship. MBA has also been awarded the prestigious David P. Baker Cup in recognition of being ranked the #1 team in the country during the 2016-2017, 2018-2019, and 2019-2020 competitive seasons. In 2005, MBA made history by being the first school to take both 1st and 2nd place at the National Forensics League National Tournament. MBA students have won the 1st Year National Championship many times, including most recently in 2015, 2016, and 2021.
MBA Debate is guided by four full-time teachers and coaches. Mr. Josh Clark serves as Director of Debate and Forensics. Our talented coaching staff includes Mr. Kevin Hamrick, Mr. Alex Brown, and Mr. Nick Lepp.
In January of each year, MBA hosts the prestigious Billy Tate Southern Bell Forum, an elite invitational event that brings together the top competitors from across the nation.
List of 4 members.
Debate & Forensics Links
Montgomery Bell Academy
4001 Harding Road
Nashville, TN 37205
(615) 298-5514
