The National Forensic League is a non-partisan, not for profit educational honor society founded in 1925 by Bruno E. Jacob at Ripon College. Its purpose is to encourage and motivate high school students to participate in and become proficient in the forensic arts: debate, public speaking, and interpretation.
The NFL National Tournament has been held continuously since 1931 (except for the W. W. II years). Due to the encouragement of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the National Student Congress Tournament continued through the war years.
The National Forensic League has appeared on the approved list of the National Association of Secondary School Principals National Advisory List of Contests and Activities since origination of the list.
From the Founder: Bruno E. Jacob
"In October, 1924, Ray Cecil Carter, head of the department of English at Albany, N.Y., wrote to the Pi Kappa Delta chapter at Ripon College, asking, 'Do you know of any association of debaters in which high school debaters are welcome to membership?' The letter came to my attention and brought this reply: 'As far as we know there is at present no organization for high school debaters... we would be willing to go to considerable effort to sponsor such an enterprise.'
"These letters mark the beginning of the National Forensic League. During the next several weeks, I outlined the proposal to a selected list of debate coaches. Fifty-five responded with enthusiasm, especially Supt. Karl E. Mundt of South Dakota (pictured at left).
"The salient features of a constitution were put together and sent out for criticism. The replies revealed the points in dispute. These were reduced to definite propositions and submitted to the interested schools.
"An Anglican name was favored over Greek letters by a close vote. The suggested fees ranged from 25c to $15, but the average was: Charter fee, $6.00; membership, $1.64; and degree, 94c. The vote between key or pin for insignia was so even that both were authorized. The referendum limited the cost to $3.60.
"On March 28, 1925, the constitution was submitted for ratification, and Albany telegraphed acceptance April 1. Chippewa Falls was second and on May 25, Florence, Kansas, completed the twentieth school and put the organization into formal existence. These schools represented 15 states from coast to coast."
Year-By-Year History of the League
Expansion: 1926-30
One hundred schools were chartered in 1926: In 1927, a monthly Bulletin, forerunner of The Rostrum, made its appearance. The first chapter manual was published in 1928. Jeweled pins to designate degrees and gold insignia for instructors were authorized in 1930.
National Tournament Era
1930-31
In August, the Secretary proposed to the Council that it sponsor a national speech tournament. It was held at Ripon College, May 7 to 9, with 49 schools from 17 states competing. Miami, Oklahoma, won the first national championship in high school debate. With only minor changes, the rules for that tournament are still in effect. District NFL tournaments were held for the first time.
1931-32
Distinguished service awards were authorized and the national championship debate was broadcast by the Columbia network.
1932-33
Growth continued in spite of the economic depression and reached 400 chapters. Karl E. Mundt was elected president. All national tournament winners appeared on an NBC network program, and CBS again carried the championship debate.
1933-34
The distribution of free debate materials to the chapters was begun. The Pacific coast was represented in the national tournament for the first time.
1934-35
The national office was moved to the University of Denver where the Secretary engaged in graduate study. The first meeting of all Council members took place. Ten amendments to the constitution were proposed to adapt League rules to its growth and to the rapidly increasing number of debate and speech tournaments. The Rostrum replaced the earlier Bulletin.
1935-36
In the largest national tournament Topeka won the first Tau Kappa Alpha trophy. The limit of 500 chapters set by the Council was reached and a waiting list was set up.
1936-37
The League office was returned to Ripon College. In the national tournament teams were rated instead of given win-loss decisions in the first five rounds.
1937-38
The first national student congress was held in conjunction with the national tournament. Poetry Reading under the personal direction of Ted Malone was instituted as a consolation event and three major networks carried programs of NFL winners.
1938-39
The constitution was again amended to increase requirements for membership and degrees, to reduce points for contests, and to abolish fees for all degrees except honor. The student congress idea was extended to the districts. The presidency of NFL moved to Washington with the election of Karl E. Mundt as Congressman.
1939-40
Cross-questioning in debate was first used in the national tournament. Presidential nominating conventions were added.
1940-41
A loose-leaf system of keeping credit point records was supplied to every chapter.
The War Years
1941-42
The national tournament was suspended. The student congress met in the Wisconsin State Capitol and received a letter of commendation from President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
1942-43
A war emergency schedule of credit points for service speeches to school and community audiences was established. Associate membership for intramural speaking was authorized. A diamond-set key was authorized for coaches attaining 1,000 credit points.
1943-44
The Leading Chapter Award was instituted. The constitution was amended to add a principal and a superintendent to the Executive Council and to expand the office of district chairman to a three-member district committee with power to grant charters.
1944-45
A schedule of points for community service speeches was written into the constitution. The national student congress was suspended in compliance with a ban on conventions. A national contest in extemporaneous speaking was held instead at Northwestern University, preceded by regional contests at Denver, Iowa City, Nashville, and Washington, PA
1945-46
The National Association of Secondary School Principals assumed control of national contests and restricted entry to one student from a state in each event. The national contests for the five speech events were held at Northwestern University following four regional contests.
Post-War Recovery
1946-47
A single national speech tournament was again held with 96 contestants from 22 states. To discourage marathon speaking in quest of points, the Council limited award of points to three rounds a day.
1947-48
In the national tournament, Kenosha, Wisconsin, set a new school record by winning first in two contests, second in another, and third in the other two.
1948-49
At its annual meeting the Council made all members of the district committee elective by the chapters. NFL President Karl E. Mundt was elected to the United States Senate.
1949-50
Debate was restored to the national tournament by dropping two interpretation events. This action was necessary to secure tournament sanction from the principals' contest committee.
1950-51
The League published a comprehensive 25th Anniversary book to record the achievements of its members. President Harry S. Truman was elected honorary member. Leading chapter awards were presented by the national secretary at assembly programs in twenty schools. The membership fee was raised to $2.
The Second Quarter Century
1951-52
Student Congresses were restored to the national program, one session held in Faneuil Hall, Boston. Interpretation was dropped. Diploma seals for advanced degree graduates were authorized.
1952-53
President Eisenhower sent greetings to the Student Congress convening in Denver. The League was incorporated and received two gifts from Houston totaling $5,000.
1953-54
Robert W. Scott was engaged as full-time Assistant Secretary to help serve the 600 chapters. Entry to the national tournament was restricted by eliminating alternates. Four members of the National Student Congress appeared on a CBS television network program, "Youth Takes a Stand."
1954-55
An annual trophy for cumulative achievement in the National Student Congress was established and won by Wooster, Ohio, host to the first such congress. Dramatic Interpretation was restored as a National Tournament event.
1955-56
Membership and degree requirements were raised. Award of diamond keys restricted to one for each 1,000 members and degrees was added, and chapter limit raised to 700. Chapters voted to raise the charter fee to $10.
1956-57
The 100,000th NFL membership was recorded in December.
1957-58
NFL received a grant from the Ford Foundation and a gift from Nelson A. Rockefeller.
1958-59
League offices were moved into larger quarters in the Ripon College Administration Building.
1959-60
Charter requirements were raised and the chapters limited to 1,000. Charter fee was set at $10 a year. A double ruby was authorized for both students and coaches, and the leading chapter award restricted to one for each 1,000 new members and degrees.
1960-61
District tournament rules were changed to apportion entries according to chapter size, the limit of 1,000 chapters having been reached. Affiliate membership for schools awaiting a charter vacancy was established. Supt. L.J. Smith of Massillon, Ohio, retired after 18 years on the Executive Council.
1961-63
National tournament entry fees were abolished. A minimum of five years of NFL coaching was required for each diamond awarded an instructor. Hawaii entered the national tournament.
1963-64
President Lyndon B. Johnson accepted honorary membership. Impromptu replaced Poetry as a national tournament consolation event.
1964-65
Charter Limit was raised to 1,200 and the number of charters granted to private schools was moderately restricted to maintain a balance between public and private schools.
1965-66
A second assistant secretary was employed. Vice-President Hubert H. Humphrey, who had earned NFL membership as a student, was elected national honorary member. The national student congress was limited to a senate to stay within the attendance limits prescribed for the national tournament.
1966-67
A new schedule of points for contests was established and requirement for diamond key award set at 1,500 points and five years of coaching. The degree fee was abolished and membership fee raised to $3.00. NFL sponsorship of district student congresses was limited to one a year in each district. Rules for entry in the national tournament were revised to hold down its size.
Now with 1,100 Chapters and over 900 Affiliates, the League faced the challenge of growth -- serving the larger number of schools and still retaining the features which made it grow. It could look back on 42 years of service to 260,000 young Americans and forward to continuing opportunities for developing articulate young leaders for the American Way of Life.
1967-68
The League received from Reader's Digest $7,500 to defray expenses of the 1968 national tournament at Macalester College, and $15,000 to send thirteen students and three adults on a tour of Europe. DeWitt Wallace, founder of Reader's Digest, was elected a national honorary member.
1968-69
President Richard Nixon accepted national honorary membership. $10,000 was received from Reader's Digest to defray expenses of the 1969 national tournament at Washington, D.C. Bruno E. Jacob retired as national secretary and was presented with a gift of a new automobile and funds for world travel from NFL chapters and affiliates. Bruno E. Jacob was elected Secretary Emeritus. The 300,000th NFL membership was recorded in March.
1969-70
The Reader's Digest Foundation granted $8,000 for the next three years to help defray national tournament expenses. Lester M. Tucker was elected Executive Secretary. NFL expanded to 44 districts. Mr. Glenn E. Burnett, Principal of Topeka High School and Executive Council director, was elected to national honorary membership. Affiliate school fees were increased to $15.
1970-71
Executive Council was increased by two members. Chapter dues were increased to $25.00.
1971-72
Senator Karl E. Mundt retired as President. James F. Hawker, Lafayette, Indiana, was elected President. Seals for special distinction were authorized.
Marquette High School broke a national tournament record by winning two contests, placing second in debate and winning both sweepstakes.
1972-73
A Chapter award was presented to the leading school in each of the forty-four districts. An award was authorized for the leading affiliate school in the nation.
1973-74
The Phillips Petroleum Company granted funds to help underwrite the national speech tournament. Students were allowed to earn 600 points. Four new districts were created.
1974-75
The Golden Anniversary (1925-1975) was observed. Senator Karl E. Mundt died. One new district was created.
1975-76
NFL acquired its own building after 50 years on the campus of Ripon College. Three new districts were created.
1976-77
The Karl E. Mundt Foundation gave funds to the NFL to help underwrite Congress. Humorous Interpretation was added as a main event for the district and national tournaments. Dennis Winfield was elected President.
1977-78
Lester M. Tucker retired as Executive Secretary and Dennis Winfield was elected to that position. Carmendale Fernandes became President. NFL had 1315 chapters and 694 Affiliates. Mr. G. C. Meese, of Phillips Petroleum Company, was elected a national honorary member.
The Hall of Fame was established and Bruno Jacob named the first 11 inductees. Mr. Jacob was named by acclamation.
1978-79
H.B. Mitchell Debate Trophy established. Mr. Mitchell's debate teams won 3 national championships and two second places.
1979-80
L/D Debate established as an NFL event. Phyllis Barton and Donus Roberts elected to National Council.
1980-81
Chapters responded to need and raised student membership to $5.00. This was the first increase in 7 years.
1981-82
National debate winners awarded a $2,000.00 scholarship from Who's Who Among American High School Students.
1982-83
Video taping of National Final Rounds initiated. United States and Foreign extemp established.
1983-84
James Copeland elected President. Qualifiers to the National Tournament to come from NFL districts.
1984-85
Congress points increased from 12 to 24 per day. Conference on the State of Debate held in Kansas City. Principal Ronald Last resigns. Brother Rene Sterner FSC appointed administrative representative. Harold Keller elected by district chairs to fill vacancy.
1985-86
Frank Sferra elected President. Dennis Winfield resigns. James Copeland appointed Acting Secretary. Phyllis Barton elected V.P., Richard Sodikow and L. D. Naegelin elected to Executive Council.
1986-87
Second tournament held at Cincinnati Princeton High School. Speaker of the House James Wright addresses nationals.
1987-88
NFL chapters number almost 1700. Affiliates over 600. NACDL sponsors Constitutional U.S. Extemp. James Copeland selected as Secretary. Billy Tate and Don Crabtree elected to the Executive Council. Ted Turner elected national honorary member. Donus Roberts conducts NFL Goals 2000 Conference. Largest tournament held in Nashville.
1988-89
Point system expanded to include new degrees at 750 and 1000. Point limits raised to 500 per category and 1000 overall. Membership fee raised to $10. National tournament restructured. Largest National Tournament held at Colorado School of Mines. "California Plan" for conducting speech events adopted.
1989-90
Frank Sferra re-elected President, Donus Roberts elected Vice-President. H.B. Mitchell dies. Largest National Tournament held at San Jose State University. Phillips Petroleum Foundation, Inc. offers NFL a $25,000 challenge grant each year for three years. New districts added in Colorado, Florida and Kansas.
1990-91
Phyllis Barton dies. Phyllis Barton trophy and scholarship established for debate top speaker at Nationals. District Chairs elect Ted Belch to the Council. Six guaranteed rounds for all events at Nationals. New districts in Arkansas, Virginia and Kansas. Largest Nationals at Glenbrook-South, Illinois. Ralph E. Carey dies and leaves NFL a major bequest. Judge John L. Coffey named honorary member. The Bradley Foundation of Milwaukee grants NFL money for a video education project.
1991-92
The Phillips Petroleum Company makes a major gift to NFL to promote speech education in urban and rural areas and sponsor the National Tournament. Carmendale Fernandes leaves the Executive Council after service in 4 decades. Donus Roberts chairs a major NFL Conference in Denver. David Johnson elected to the Council.
1992-93
Albert Odom retires from the NFL Office after 25 years of service. Ben Davis HS (IN) hosts nationals a second time. Phillips Petroleum CEO C.J. "Pete" Silas named national honorary member.
1993-94
Largest National Tournament held at K.C. Park Hill (MO) HS -- the second Park Hill nationals. Summer Council Retreat planned NFL's future. Donus Roberts elected President, Billy Tate, Vice President. Glenda Ferguson and Cat Bennett elected to the Council.
1994-95
Largest Nationals hosted at Nova H. S. Florida. Lincoln Life sponsors L/D Debate. Stennis Center sponsors Congress. Phillips CEO C. W. Allen and Lincoln Life CEO John Boscia appear at Nationals. Sandra Silvers dies and leaves NFL a large bequest.
1995-96
Cat Bennett resigns from the Council, replaced by alternate Ted Belch. Roger Brannan becomes alternate. A National Junior Forensic League founded for junior and middle schools. Duo Interpretation added as a national event. Largest Nationals hosted at Southview High School (NC). The 900,000 member was recorded. Marilyn Hageman retires after more than 30 years of service in the NFL office. All time coach point leader, Tedd Woods, dies.
1996-97
L. D. Naegelin elected President, Billy Tate Vice President. Largest National Tournament, Star of the North, hosted in Minneapolis.
1997-98
President L. D. Naegelin dies. Vice President Billy Tate becomes NFL President. Alternate Roger Brannan becomes Councilor. Largest National Tournament hosted in St. Louis. Barbara Jordan Youth Debates on Health are sponsored for urban debaters by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
1998-99
The Lincoln Financial Group becomes the sponsor of the National Forensic League and the National Tournament. The Kaiser Family Foundation sponsors policy debate. Past VP Vernon Metz dies. Billy Tate elected President; Frank Sferra Vice President. Phoenix is host to the "Desert Sun" National Tournament. Past National Champion, movie star Shelley Long and Lincoln Financial Group CEO Jon Boscia are special guests.
1999 - 00
Portland, Oregon hosts the 2000 National Tournament.
2000 - 01
Ted W. Belch elected Vice President. Schwan's becomes an NFL sponsor. Joan Keston named first woman NFL Honorary Member.
2001 - 02
Largest nationals at Charlotte, North Carolina. Ted Turner guest at nationals.
2002-03
James Copeland retires as Secretary. Don Crabtree elected Vice President. New event, Ted Turner Debate, is created. J. Scott Wunn elected Secretary.
2003-04
Largest National Tournament hosted in Salt Lake City, Utah by David Smith and Frank Langheinrich. Ted Turner Public Forum Debate becomes an official event at nationals. Albert Odom dies. NFL hosts 32 students from 8 countries in first international competitions of Ted Turner Public Forum and legislative debate.
2004-2005
William W. Tate is elected to his 4th term as President of the NFL. Frank Sferra and Donus Roberts retire from the Executive Council. Pam Wycoff (MN) and Tommie Lindsey, Jr. (CA) are elected; Pam McComas is elected alternate. NFL celebrates its 80th birthday in Philadelphia, PA at the 2005 National Speech Tournament. Lincoln Financial Group CEO, Jon Boscia is named the 26th Honorary Member of the National Forensic League.
2005-2006
Ted Turner attends the NFL National Tournament in Colleyville/Grapevine, TX which is the largest in tournament history. Betty Whitlock of Georgia receives the inaugural NFL Humanitarian Award. NFL National Office holds a summer leadership retreat for all District Chairs in Ripon, WI. NFL hosts students from South Korea as part of its Guest Country program. The John C. Stennis Center for Public Service establishes the Harold C. Keller Public Service Award.
2006-2007
Pam McComas of Kansas is elected as a member of the Executive Council. Timothy Sheaff of Iowa becomes an alternate to the Council. Run-off rounds in debate are discontinued and laptop computers are allowed in Policy Debate at the NFL National Tournament.
Past Presidents
Ray Cecil Carter, Albany, New York
Senator Karl E. Mundt, Madison, South Dakota
James F. Hawker, Lafayette, Indiana
Dennis D. Winfield, Waterloo, Iowa
Carmendale Fernandes, Sunnyvale, California
James M. Copeland, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Frank Sferra, Denver, Colorado
Donus D. Roberts, Watertown, South Dakota
L. D. Naegelin, San Antonio, Texas
Past Vice-Presidents
Karl E. Mundt, Madison, South Dakota
T.C. Bond, McKinley HS, Niles, Ohio
J. Edmund Mayer, Alhambra, California
James F. Hawker, Lafayette, Indiana
Vernon Metz, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Carmendale Fernandes, Sunnyvale, California
C. Edwin Brower, Dallas, Texas
James M. Copeland, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Frank Sferra, Denver, Colorado
Phyllis Barton, Cincinnati, Ohio
Donus Roberts, Watertown, South Dakota
William Woods Tate, Jr., Nashville, Tennessee
Ted W. Belch, Northbrook, Illinois
Past Executive Directors
Bruno E. Jacob, Ripon, Wisconsin
Lester M. Tucker, Howe, Indiana
Dennis D. Winfield, Waterloo, Iowa
James M. Copeland, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Past Directors
Henry Christoffersen, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Harvey Pinney, New Richmond, Wisconsin
Donald Stannard, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Fred C. Scribner, Portland-Deering, Maine
Shirley E. Greene, Laconia, New Hampshire
Merwin W. Murphy, Phoenix, Arizona
R. N. Thompson, Brown Military Academy, California
Donald P. Doane, Lucas, Kansas
J.C. Aldrich, Webster Groves, Missouri
Hubert Teitelbaum, Charleroi, Pennsylvania
Walter Oelschlaeger, Monessen, Pennsylvania
L. D. Schreiver, Charleroi, Pennsylvania
C.C. Diettert, North Judson, Indiana
R.S. Cartwright, Elgin, Illinois
N.W. Williams, Lexington, Kentucky
Supt. L.J. Smith, Massillon, Ohio
Prin. R.B. Miller, Hammond Clark, Indiana
Carl E. Mugnani, West View, Pennsylvania
C.M. Schindler, Canton McKinley, Ohio
Albert L. O'Connor, Monessen, Pennsylvania
E.J. Diller, Youngstown Chaney, Ohio
Helen C. Malseed, McKeesport, Pennsylvania
L.D. Hanks, Los Angeles--Marshall, California
Prin. Donald F. Piper, Laconia, New Hampshire
Prin. Glenn E. Burnette, Topeka, Kansas
Prin. Allen W. Meyers, Lafayette, Louisiana
Prin. Ralph McGee, New Trier, Illinois
Dennis D. Winfield, Waterloo, Iowa
C. Edwin Brower, Dallas, Texas
Vernon Metz, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
James F. Hawker, Lafayette, Indiana
Prin. Ronald Last, Provo, Utah
James Copeland, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
H.B. Mitchell, Seminole, Oklahoma
Phyllis Barton, Cincinnati, Ohio
Carmendale Fernandes, San Jose, California
Richard B. Sodikow, Bronx, New York
David Johnson, Houston--Bellaire, Texas
Cat Horner Bennett, Taos, New Mexico
L. D. Naegelin, San Antonio, Texas
Donus Roberts, Watertown, South Dakota
Frank Sferra, Denver, Colorado
Ted W. Belch, Las Vegas, Nevada
Glenda Ferguson, Coppell, Texas
