Liberty University’s debate team wins Rutgers University Round Robin tournament

On Jan. 20, Liberty Debate teammates Michael Harrington and Briana Thomas won the Rutgers University Round Robin debate tournament, defeating teams from Baylor and UC Berkeley. 

“It was a long process,” Harrington said. “The teams who went there were really talented teams. A little work and faith, and we got it done.” 

Harrington had never debated before coming to Liberty. However, his lack of experience did not keep him from excelling. Now, as a senior, he is part of one of the top varsity debate teams in the nation. 

“I learned everything my freshman year when I came, stayed on the team throughout the years, and now I’m here,” Harrington said.

This tournament was not the first major win for Liberty’s debate team. In fact, Liberty debate has a history of success in competition. 

“Liberty has had one of the best debate teams in the nation since the mid-90s,” Director of Debate Michael Hall said. “We’ve really made debate a priority here.”

Hall said Liberty’s relationship with debate dates back to the days of Jerry                   Falwell Sr. 

“He would spend a lot of time debating issues on shows like CNN’s Crossfire,” Hall said. “I think he had a real soft spot for debate, and as a result, he would always make sure the debate team was well-funded.”

According to Hall, this funding, which allows for the recruitment of new members and travel for tournaments, has paid off. 

Over the last 20 years, Liberty’s debate team has distinguished itself in countless tournaments, competing against Ivy League schools, including Harvard, Dartmouth, Berkeley and Princeton. 

“We’ve been in the community long enough now where the other coaches and judges, … they know the quality of our students … and that our students can compete at that level,” Hall said. 

As Hall and his team look forward to future tournaments, they hope to begin cultivating new talent for the program.

“We don’t want what we do to be limited to students with high school debate experience,” Hall said. “We give all of our students who want the opportunity to debate the chance to do that. Don’t let your lack of experience keep you from contacting us.”

Liberty’s debate program is broken down into three divisions based on experience level: novice, junior varsity and varsity. Students with no experience can start debating at the novice level and work their way up to varsity. 

“We have a reputation of growing and developing our own talent into top level varsity debaters,” Hall said.

Harrington, a former novice himself, encourages students with passion for debate and a drive for self-betterment to consider joining the team. 

 “Do it if you’re serious about it,” Harrington said. “Don’t compare yourself to other people, but compare yourself to yourself.”

More information on the debate team can be found on Liberty’s website under “Academics.”