Join our team!

Want to join the team?! Here’s how:

NOW ACCEPTING TRYOUT MATERIALS FOR FALL 2026 WALK-ON TEAM MEMBERS!!

All students interested in joining the team Fall 2026 should submit the following materials to forensicstruman@gmail.com by Friday, September 18th, 2026:

  •  Application Form — Complete the linked form.
  •  Letter of Interest — A letter explaining why you wish to join 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

Scholarships are awarded each spring. Current and walk-on team members may submit application materials (demo video & letter of interest) in the spring to be considered for a service scholarship for the following academic year, but only if funds allow.

Submission of audition materials is required no matter if you are interested in receiving a scholarship or not.

Thank you again for your interest in joining Truman Forensics! We look forward to hearing from you soon and hope to welcome you into the Bulldog Speech & Debate Family!

Questions?

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