Join our team!

Want to join the team?! Here’s how:

All students interested in joining the team should submit the following materials to forensicstruman@gmail.com by Friday, September 5th:

•  Application Form — Complete the linked form.
•  Letter of Interest — A letter explaining why you wish to compete in speech/debate with Truman Forensics.
•  Demo — A short video of you giving an example debate case or memorized speech performance that you have either constructed yourself or practiced from our example materials. Speech audition instructions can be found here. Debate audition instructions can be found here. Please only submit a link for either a video of a speech OR a debate, but not both, although you are welcome to compete in both if invited to join the team!

We are looking for passionate and motivated students who enjoy speaking on and advocating for important issues through competitive speech and debate activities.

An initial review of audition materials will be conducted digitally and asynchronously, meaning you will upload the required materials and they will be reviewed by the coaching staff. Based on our review, select students will be invited to the second step of the audition, which is to either attend a weekly team meeting or informal virtual meet-and-greet with some of the coaches and team members. At this point, we would discuss team expectations for participation, ask you some questions about your goals for wanting to be on the team, then you’ll get a chance to ask us any questions you may have. Following the chat, invitations to join the team will be sent out to those who we feel best fit with the current coaches, team members, and goals of the team.

Scholarships

Each year based on tryouts the team holds in the spring, 5-7 service scholarships are awarded to incoming students ranging from $500 to $2000. Additionally, if you are an incoming first-year or transfer student, your application materials will automatically be considered for scholarship opportunities. These scholarships are renewable up to four years based on your continued participation on and commitment to the team. One incoming student will also be considered for a Truman Forensics Foundation scholarship worth an additional $1000.

Current team members not currently on scholarship may also submit application materials every spring to be considered for a service scholarship the following academic year.

Walk-on students who tryout for the team in the fall are eligible for team scholarships after their first year of competition. Application materials can be submitted in the spring to be considered for a service scholarship for the following academic year.

Questions?

Any questions regarding the tryout process can be addressed to Director of Forensics, Dr. Ben Davis, at bdavis@truman.edu.