UH Debate History
Competitive Highlights
The Policy Debate program revives a longstanding tradition of debate at the University of Houston. Active intercollegiate competition began in 1949.
The team’s history includes a number of highlights:
- Participation at 22 National Debate Tournaments, the premiere collegiate competition
- Numerous prizes for Top Individual Speaker at the National Debate Tournament, including the first female to win (’57, Patricia Stallings)
- Distinguished alumni who have gone on to become regional and national policymakers, including CEOs, judges on the Texas Supreme Court, political candidates, and partners at top law firms
