National Forensic Association

The National Forensic Association (NFA) is an American intercollegiate organization designed to promote excellence in individual events and debate. The NFA sponsors the NFA Nationals as well many other regional tournaments throughout the year. The 2023 NFA national tournament will be hosted by Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois. Founded in 1971, the NFA Nationals is dedicated to a full range of literature interpretation, public address, limited preparation, and Lincoln-Douglas debate.

Lincoln Douglas Debate
NFA is unique in its NFA-LD Policy format. High school debate is primarily divided into individual debaters engaged in values-oriented competition or teams of debaters in rapid-paced evidence-based policy analysis. Instead of choosing one of these formats, NFA offers evidence-based policy analysis in one-on-one competition.

LD Policy Format
At the beginning of each year a topic area and corresponding resolution is voted upon and subject to the entire season's debate. Each round competitors find themselves assigned to affirm or negate the resolution. Rather than affirm general ideas or values, affirmative competitors propose a particular policy to adopt as a representation of the resolution. Negative competitors will generally attempt to either demonstrate a lack of need for that policy or argue that said policy's disadvantages outweigh its benefits.

The first affirmative and negative speeches are constructive speeches, intended to put forth the arguments which will comprise the issues in dispute. A cross-examination period of three minutes follows each of these speeches in order to clarify arguments and gain information relevant to each competitor's position. Each competitor is then given a six-minute rebuttal in which their responses and development of the arguments are finalized. At the end of the round, the affirmative is given one final three-minute speech to review why their plan ought to be passed in support of the resolution. An assigned judge will then cast a ballot to affirm or negate the resolution.

Past LD National Championship Teams
Years 1991 - 2023 verified
 * 1971 - Ohio University
 * 1972 - Ball State University
 * 1973 - Eastern Michigan University
 * 1974 - Ohio University
 * 1975 - Ohio University
 * 1976 - Eastern Michigan University
 * 1977 - Eastern Michigan University
 * 1978 - Eastern Michigan University
 * 1979 - Eastern Michigan University
 * 1980 - Eastern Michigan University
 * 1981 - Eastern Michigan University
 * 1982 - Bradley University
 * 1983 - Bradley University
 * 1984 - Bradley University
 * 1985 - Bradley University
 * 1986 - Eastern Michigan University
 * 1987 - Eastern Michigan University
 * 1988 - Bradley University
 * 1989 - Bradley University
 * 1990 - Bradley University
 * 1991 - Wayne State University
 * 1992 - University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
 * 1993 - Western Kentucky University
 * 1994 - Bradley University
 * 1995 - Illinois State University
 * 1996 - Western Kentucky University
 * 1997 - Ohio State University
 * 1998 - Western Kentucky University
 * 1999 - Western Kentucky University
 * 2000 - Central Missouri State University
 * 2001 - St. Anselm College
 * 2002 - University of Pennsylvania
 * 2003 - Missouri Southern State University
 * 2004 - Creighton University
 * 2005 - University of Missouri-Columbia
 * 2006 - University of Missouri-Columbia
 * 2007 - Creighton University
 * 2008 - Drury University
 * 2009 - Creighton University
 * 2010 - Western Kentucky University
 * 2011 - Western Kentucky University
 * 2012 - Drury University
 * 2013 - Western Kentucky University
 * 2014 - Western Kentucky University
 * 2015 - Western Kentucky University
 * 2016 - Western Kentucky University
 * 2017 - Western Kentucky University
 * 2018 - Western Kentucky University
 * 2019 - Missouri State University
 * 2020 - Cancelled due to COVID
 * 2021 - Western Kentucky University
 * 2022 - University of Nebraska-Lincoln
 * 2023 - University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Past LD Debate Resolutions

 * 2022-2023: Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase restrictions on political campaigns for public office in one or more of the following areas: political communication, campaign spending, interest groups.
 * 2021-2022: Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially curtail its counterterrorism operations in one or more of the following areas: statutory authorization for use of military force, air and/or drone strikes, combat and/or 127e programs.
 * 2020-2021: Resolved: The United States federal government should implement immigration reform that removes substantial statutory restrictions on legal immigration into the United States.
 * 2019-2020: The United States federal government should implement an energy policy that substantially increases investments in one or more of the following domestic energy sectors: nuclear, hydroelectric, geothermal, wind, solar.
 * 2018-2019: Resolved: the United States federal government should substantially increase actions by United States Cyber Command to prevent complex catastrophe and/or protect critical infrastructure.
 * 2017-2018: Resolved: the United States federal government should substantially increase the regulation of state and/or local police misconduct in the United States.
 * 2016-2017: Resolved:  the United States Federal Government should substantially reduce the role of the United States Southern Command in Latin America
 * 2015-2016: Resolved: the United States Federal Government should substantially increase restrictions on bioprospecting.
 * 2014-2015: Resolved: the United States Federal Government should increase its development of the Earth's moon in one or more of the following areas: energy, minerals, and/or water.
 * 2013-2014: Resolved: The USFG should substantially reform elementary and/or secondary education in the U.S.
 * 2012-2013: Resolved: the United States Federal Government should substantially increase assistance for organic and/or sustainable agriculture in the United States.
 * 2011-2012: Resolved: the United States Federal Government should substantially change its trade policy and/or practices with the People’s Republic of China.
 * 2010-2011: Resolved: the United States Federal Government should substantially reform the provision of mental health services to the chronically mentally ill.
 * 2009-2010: Resolved: That the United States Federal Government should substantially reform domestic transportation infrastructure.
 * 2008-2009: Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially increase its constructive engagement with Cuba.
 * 2007-2008: Resolved: That the United States Federal Government should substantially increase assistance to the Greater Horn of Africa in one of the following areas: economic development, human rights protection, or public health.
 * 2006-2007: Resolved: that the United States Federal Government should adopt a policy to significantly increase the production of energy from renewable sources.
 * 2005-2006: Resolved: that the United States Federal Government should adopt a policy to increase the protection of human rights in one or more of the following nations: Tibet, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, East Timor, Indonesia, Philippines, and/or Pakistan.
 * 2004-2005: Resolved: that the United States Federal Government should significantly reform the criminal justice system.
 * 2003-2004: Resolved: that the United States Federal Government should substantially increase environmental regulations on industrial pollution.
 * 2002-2003: Resolved: that the United States Federal Government should significantly increase assistance to United States residents living below the poverty line.
 * 2001-2002: Resolved: That the United States Federal Government should significantly alter its policy for combating international terrorism.
 * 2000-2001: Resolved: That the United States Federal Government should significantly increase restrictions on civil lawsuits.
 * 1999-2000: Resolved: that the United States federal government should increase restrictions on the development, use, and/or sale of genetically modified organisms.
 * 1998-1999: Resolved: that the US Federal Government should significantly increase its regulation of electronically mediated communication.
 * 1997-1998: Resolved: that the United States federal government should significantly change its foreign policy toward Taiwan.
 * 1996-1997: Resolved: that the U.S. Department of Education should require the implementation of more rigorous methods of teacher and/or student performance evaluation in secondary school systems.
 * 1995-1996: Resolved: That participation in one or more of the six principal bodies of the United Nations should be significantly restricted by altering the U.N. charter and/or rules of procedure.
 * 1994-1995: Resolved: That the FG should significantly reform the US public welfare system
 * 1993-1994: Resolved: That the USFG should significantly alter laws for immigration into the US.
 * 1992-1993: Resolved: That the terms of federal legislators should be limited to a specific duration.
 * 1991-1992: Unknown
 * 1990-1991: (Exact resolution not available; it was on Supreme Court justice tenure).

Members of the NFA Hall of Fame
Induction Class: Era: Name: College/University
 * April 2000 1970-1975 David Beal Ohio University
 * April 2000 1970-1975 Greg Denaro Southern Connecticut State University
 * April 2000 1970-1975 Jim Molnar Ohio University
 * April 2000 1970-1975 Judy Sturgis Hill Eastern Michigan University
 * April 2000 1970-1975 Danny Vice Eastern Michigan University
 * April 2000 1976-1980 Jon Capecci Eastern Michigan University
 * April 2000 1976-1980 Michael Garcia Eastern Michigan University
 * April 2000 1976-1980 Theresa McElwee Eastern Michigan University
 * April 2000 1976-1980 Donald Smith Southern Connecticut State University
 * April 2000 1976-1980 Elighie Wilson Ball State University
 * April 2000 1981-1985 Marco Benassi Bradley University
 * April 2000 1981-1985 Greg Dolph Bradley University
 * April 2000 1981-1985 Sam Marcosson Bradley University
 * April 2000 1986-1990 David Bickford Brown University
 * April 2000 1986-1990 Sarah Braun Bradley University
 * April 2000 1986-1990 Cam Jones Cornell University
 * April 2000 1986-1990 Stephanie Kaplan University of Wisconsin-Madison
 * April 2000 1986-1990 Kim Roe Eastern Michigan University
 * April 2000 1991-1995 Jason Berke Illinois State University
 * April 2000 1991-1995 Karon Bowers Bradley University
 * April 2000 1991-1995 George LaMaster Bradley University
 * April 2000 1991-1995 Kevin Minch Wayne State University
 * April 2000 1991-1995 Patrick O'Shaughnessy Bradley University
 * April 2000 1996-2000 August Benassi Bradley University
 * April 2000 1996-2000 Brian Davis Arizona State University
 * April 2000 1996-2000 Matt MacDonald Bradley University
 * April 2000 1996-2000 Jill Valentine Bradley University
 * April 2001 1996-2000 Ben Lohman Bradley University
 * April 2001 1996-2000 Chris Grove Illinois State University
 * April 2001 1991-1995 Stacy Nekula Illinois State University
 * April 2001 1991-1995 Mona Dworzak Illinois State University
 * April 2001 1986-1990 Celeste Devore Matheson Illinois State University
 * April 2001 1976-1980 William Allen Young University of Southern California
 * April 2001 1976-1980 Nancy Cartwright Ohio University
 * April 2001 1976-1980 Mark Hickman Marshall University
 * April 2002 1970-1975 Keith Semmel Mansfield State College
 * April 2002 1970-1975 Paul Van Dyne Penn State University
 * April 2002 1976-1980 Christina Collier Reynolds Bowling Green State University/Ohio University
 * April 2002 1981-1985 J.G. Harrington Rutgers University
 * April 2002 1986-1990 Penny Geurink O'Connor University of Northern Iowa
 * April 2002 1986-1990 Joel Schwartzberg Emerson College
 * April 2002 1991-1995 Andrew Billings Indiana University
 * April 2002 1991-1995 Adam Black Western Kentucky University
 * April 2002 1991-1995 Michael Malloy Saint Joseph's University
 * April 2002 1991-1995 Andy Wood St. Petersburg JC/Berry College
 * April 2002 1996-2000 Brendan Kelly Eastern Michigan University
 * April 2002 1996-2000 David Lindrum Berry College
 * April 2002 1996-2000 Robert Pieranunzi Indiana University
 * April 2003 1986-1990 Liesel Reinhart University of Colorado
 * April 2003 1976-1980 Kenda Creasey Dean Miami University
 * April 2006 1976-1980 Ray Quiel  Eastern Michigan University
 * April 2006 1981-1985 Mitchell "Bucky" Fay  University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
 * April 2006 1986-1990 Ken Klawitter  Bradley University
 * April 2006 1991-1995 Rita Rahoi  University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
 * April 2008 1981-1985 Tom Doyle Bradley University
 * April 2008 1996-2000 Jason Davidson Bradley University
 * April 2008 1996-2000 Sarah Meinen Jedd Bradley University
 * April 2009 1996-2000 Jaime Riewerts Bradley University
 * April 2009 2001-2005 Aaron Unseth University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
 * April 2010 1975-1979 Meg Langford George Mason University
 * April 2010 2001-2005 John Coleman Berry College
 * April 2010 2001-2005 Rob Barnhart Ohio University
 * April 2010 2001-2005 Erin Gallagher Barnhart Ohio University
 * April 2011 1991-1995 Jeff "Shappy" Seasholtz Eastern Michigan University
 * April 2014 1991-1995 Jeff Archibald Cornell University
 * April 2014 1996-2000 Kelly (Lloyd) Adriani Eastern Michigan University
 * April 2014 1996-2000 Ryan Hershberger Eastern Michigan University
 * April 2014 2001-2005 Nina Brennan Eastern Michigan University
 * April 2014 2001-2005 Amber (Neuenschwander) Price Eastern Michigan University
 * April 2014 2006-2010 Robert Cannon Glendale Community College - CA