Programs

Debate and Forensics


"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)


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, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, University of Michigan, Samford University, Wake Forest University, the Glenbrooks of Chicago, and many others. In 1999, MBA claimed a national championship at the Tournament of Champions in Lexington, KY. In 2005, MBA made history by being the first (and only) school to take both 1st and 2nd place at the National Forensics League National Tournament. The Big Red finished as the National Runner-Up in 2006. MBA students won the 1st Year National Championship in both 2015 and 2016. In 2017, MBA was awarded the prestigious David P. Baker Cup in recognition of being ranked the #1 team in the country during the 2016-2017 competitive season. During the 2018-2019, the team yet again made history as the students collectively won 8 regular season tournaments, qualified 6 teams to the Tournament of Champions and had 3 of those partnerships place in the top 32 teams.

MBA Debate is guided by four full-time teachers and coaches. Mr. Kevin Hamrick serves as Director of Debate and Forensics, Mr. Josh Clark is the varsity debate Coach, Mr. Austen Yorko is the junior varsity coach, and Mr. Robbie Quinn is the novice coach.

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.
    • Ben Rosenthal (’17) and Andrew Kaplan (’17) finished 2016-17 as the #1 team in the country

      Ben Rosenthal (’17) and Andrew Kaplan (’17) finished 2016-17 as the #1 team in the country

Debate & Forensics Links

Debate & Forensics Staff

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of Kevin Hamrick

    Mr. Kevin Hamrick 

    Director of Debate, AP US Government & Politics, AP Comparative Government & Politics, Young Democra
    Vanderbilt University - BA
    Wake Forest University - MA
    Northwestern University
    At MBA since 2008
  • Photo of Joshua Clark

    Mr. Joshua Clark 

    California State University/Fullerton - BA
    At MBA since 2013

List of 2 members.

Montgomery Bell Academy

4001 Harding Road
Nashville, TN 37205
(615) 298-5514