Our Debate and Forensics Program is among the oldest and most respected in the nation, offering students the opportunity to compete against—and connect with—top debaters from across the country. The program combines rigorous competition with close teamwork, challenging boys to think critically, speak confidently, and collaborate effectively.

MBA debaters have earned championships at premier national tournaments including Emory University, The Glenbrooks (Chicago), St. Mark’s (Dallas), Berkeley, and Michigan. The team has twice won the Tournament of Champions (1999, 2020), claimed multiple National Debate Coaches Association championships (2019, 2023, 2025), and received the prestigious David P. Baker Cup for being ranked the #1 program in the nation three times.

In 2025, MBA Debate achieved one of its most exceptional seasons to date. At the Middle School Tournament of Champions, Tate Roh and Cole Anderson captured the national title with a unanimous 3–0 victory, while teammates Alex Vari and Ishmeet Majhail advanced to the semifinals. On the high school level, MBA broke a National Debate Coaches Association record with six of 19 teams advancing to elimination rounds, with the Big Red’s top team securing the national championship. MBA also tied the national record for the most teams to advance to elimination rounds at the Tournament of Champions (four—matching its own 2017 feat) and set a new national record with 31 policy bids to the Tournament of Champions, surpassing its previous record of 27.

Led by Director Josh Clark and coaches Kevin Hamrick, Alex Brown, and Nick Lepp, the program is supported by a full-time coaching staff dedicated to student growth and success. Each January, MBA hosts the Billy Tate Southern Bell Forum, one of the most prestigious high school debate tournaments in the nation. Established in 1982 and renamed in 2013 to honor longtime coach William “Billy” Tate, the Forum combines fierce national competition with the hallmark hospitality for which MBA is known. The tournament has become a signature event on the national debate calendar, drawing elite competitors to Nashville and carrying forward the legacy of excellence and community that Tate championed during his 30 years on The Hill.

DOWNLOAD THE 2025-2026 MBA DEBATE SCHEDULE

Envirothon is a national-level competition where teams compete to answer questions about forestry, wildlife, aquatics, soils, and a special topic.  Participants will cultivate a broad knowledge of these topics through outdoor field experience and individual study.  The MBA Envirothon team is very competitive and has won multiple regional titles and a state championship with a trip to the national-level competition in 2010, 2024 and 2025. 

Since 1983, MBA has been a leader in high school Mock Trial, earning 19 City Championships, seven State Championships, and multiple National Final appearances—including a National Championship in 2025 and a third-place finish in 2023. Directed for more than twenty-five years by alumnus and local attorney Mr. Wade Cowan,  the program has a long tradition of excellence in courtroom competition.

Mock Trial challenges students in grades 9–12 to take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a simulated case provided annually by the Tennessee Bar Association. Participants learn courtroom procedure, rules of evidence, and trial advocacy skills while developing confidence, critical thinking, and teamwork. MBA typically fields three to four teams each year, competing locally and in the prestigious Empire competition.

Practices are held in the Justice Frank Drowota ’56 Mock Trial Room in Wilson Library, with students preparing throughout the fall and winter for regional and state competitions.

The MBA Robotics Club gives students the chance to explore the technologies shaping our world by designing, building, and programming robots in both educational and competitive settings. Members participate in events such as the B.E.S.T. Robotics Competition in the fall and MBA’s Lego Mindstorms competition in the spring, gaining hands-on experience in problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation.

Open to both Junior School and High School students, the club meets in MBA’s state-of-the-art Robotics Room in the Wilson Library. Meetings are held on Tuesdays during activity period and Friday afternoons from 4–6 p.m. Students interested in joining are encouraged to reach out to Dr. Jim Lech for more information.

Science Olympiad is one of the nation’s premier science competitions, designed to spark curiosity, build teamwork, and challenge students across multiple STEM disciplines. Each year, students prepare for twenty-three rigorous events spanning biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, computer science, and engineering. The events blend fact-based knowledge with problem-solving, hands-on applications, and real-world scenarios.

MBA fields both Division B (grades 7–9) and Division C (grades 9–12) teams, giving boys at every level the chance to compete and grow. Each team is made up of 15 members with diverse strengths and interests—from budding engineers and coders to young scientists and builders. Success in Science Olympiad is rooted not in perfect grades but in enthusiasm, creativity, and a willingness to commit to the challenge.

Preparation begins each fall when official event rules are released. Students select events that match their interests, and coaches work with team captains to balance the roster. Much of the preparation takes place independently—before school, during breaks, or at home—while organizational meetings and work sessions provide structure and collaboration. MBA teams regularly compete at regional and state tournaments, gaining both recognition and invaluable experience in teamwork, persistence, and innovation.

Learn more at the National Science Olympiad and Tennessee Science Olympiad websites.