Mr. Tate

On Saturday morning, April 6, 2013, MBA lost long-term faculty member Billy Tate. For thirty years Billy Tate led MBA's speech and debate program. He built and cultivated a national reputation for the school in this area. In addition to serving as President of the National Forensics League for 16 years, Billy Tate earned the goodwill, respect, and friendship of schools, debate coaches, and debaters throughout our country by his professionalism and unique sense of hospitality and appreciation for students and teachers and this activity. Most importantly to the MBA community, Mr. Tate loved his job, our school, and the students. Universally, students and families sensed and knew how much Mr. Tate cared for and championed them.  His affection for the MBA community, his love for the school, and his appreciation for the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives will long be celebrated at MBA.  We miss him.