Facts and Statistics

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Kansas at the National Debate Tournament

The NDT is the longest running national debate championship tournament that began at West Point in 1947. It is an annual championship tournament that individual teams must qualify to attend.

KU has qualified teams to the NDT for 57 consecutive years, every year since 1968.
KU has won the NDT 6 times (2018, 2009, 1983, 1976, 1970, 1954).
KU was the national runner up at the NDT in 2024 and 2016.
KU has reached the final four at the NDT 20 times (2024, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2009, 1999, 1994, 1983, 1979, 1977, 1976, 1973, 1971, 1970, 1970, 1960, 1954, 1948).
KU has received 47 first round at large bids to the NDT. First Round bids to the NDT go to individual teams ranked in the top 16 teams in the country at the end of the regular season. KU earned first round bids in 2024 (two teams, 2023 (two teams), 2022, 2021 (4th ranked), 2020 (4th ranked), 2019, 2018 (1st ranked) 2017 (two teams) 2015, 2014, 2012 (two teams; fifth ranked), 2011 (two teams in the top 10), 2010 (two teams), 2009 (second ranked), 2008 (two teams; fifth ranked), 2007 (third ranked), 2006, 2005, 2000 (fifth ranked), 1999 (third ranked), 1998 (two teams), 1997, 1994, 1993, 1989 (two teams), 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982 (first ranked), 1979, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974 (second ranked), and 1973.
KU is in the top 5 in the country in number of teams advancing to elimination rounds at the NDT. Under the current coaching staff KU has qualified 46 teams for the elimination rounds of the NDT since 1993. The years those teams have qualified include: 2024 - 2 teams cleared (Finalist and Elite Eight), 2023 - 2 teams cleared (Elite Eight and Sweet 16), 2022 - 3 teams cleared (Final Four), 2021 - 3 teams cleared (Final Four, Elite Eight and Sweet 16), 2020 (tournament canceled), 2019 - 2 teams cleared (Final Four), 2018 (NDT Champion), 2017 - 3 teams cleared, (Elite Eight and Sweet 16), 2016 - 2 teams cleared (Finalist) 2015, 2014 - 2 teams cleared, 2012 - 2 teams cleared, (Elite Eight and Sweet 16), 2011 - 2 teams cleared, (4-3 loss to NDT champion from Northwestern in Sweet 16), 2010 - 2 teams cleared, (loss to NDT champion from Northwestern in Sweet 16), 2009 - (NDT Champion, Top seed), 2008 - 2 teams cleared, (Elite Eight and Sweet 16), 2007 - 2 teams cleared, (Elite Eight 2nd seed, and sweet 16), 2006 - (Sweet 16), 2005 (Sweet 16), 2002, 2001, 2000 - 2 teams cleared (2 in Sweet 16), in 1999 (Final Four), 1998 - 2 team cleared (Elite Eight and Sweet 16), 1997 (Sweet 16), 1996, 1995, 1994 (Final Four), 1993 (Sweet 16).
Three KU Debaters have won the First Place Individual Speaker Award at the NDT: 2021 (Azja Butler), 2019 (Jacob Hegna), 1955 (Hubert Bell).
Six KU Debaters have won the Second Place Individual Speaker Award at the NDT: 2021 (Nate Matin), 2009 (Brett Bricker), 1988 (Barry Pickens), 1987 (John Culver), 1959 (Ray Nichols), and 1949 (Ray Stollenwerck).

Kansas in the NDT National Final Varsity Debate Rankings

Each year the National Debate Tournament ranks debate programs based on points accumulated by teams competing for squads throughout the season. KU has consistently finished among the top ranked varsity debate programs in the country. Since 1997 KU has finished in the top 10 in the National rankings 22 times and finished in the top 5 in 16 of the past 17 seasons. KU has won the national varsity ranking championship 3 times.

2022 - 2nd
2021 - 2nd
2020 - 5th
2019 - 3rd
2018 - 2nd
2017 - 5th
2016 - 5th
2015 - 1st
2014 - 3rd
2012 - 4th
2011 - 5th
2010 - 5th
2009 - 4th
2008 - 1st
2007 - 5th
2006 - 1st
2005 - 8th
2004 - 5th
2000 - 5th
1999 - 2nd
1998 - 4th
1997 - 4th

Kansas at the Cross Examination Debate Association Championship Tournament

Since 1996 KU has competed at the Cross Examination Debate Association National Championship Tournament. KU has qualified multiple teams to elimination rounds at the tournament every season since 1996 and reached the national semifinals 8 times.

2021 Third Place
2019 National Runner up
2015 National runner up
2011 3rd Place
2010 3rd Place
2008 National runner up
2007 3rd Place
1999 3rd Place
1998 3rd Place

Kansas at the National Junior Division Debate Tournament

The NJDDT is a national championship tournament for debaters in their first two years of college debate. KU has won the NJDDT 13 times.

2022 - 3rd Place
2020 - National Championship and 3rd Place
2018 - National Championship and 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Place
2017 - National Champion
2016 - National Champion
2015 - National Champion
2014 - National Champion
2013 - 3rd Place
2012 - National Champion
2010 - National Champion
2009 - National Champion and 2nd Place
2008 - National Champion and 3rd Place
2007 - National Champion and 3rd Place
2006 - National Champion and 2nd Place
2005 - 2nd Place and 3rd Place
2004 - National Champion
2003 - 3rd Place
1996 - National Champion
1990 - 2nd Place
1986 - 3rd Place
1984 - National Champion

Kansas at the American Debate Association Championship Tournament

KU began sending teams to the ADA National Championship Tournament in 2018 and has placed multiple teams in the elimination rounds every year including reaching the Semifinals twice.

2020 - 3rd Place
2018 - 3rd Place