Minnesota boasts one of the strongest high school debate circuits in the country, consistently producing national champions and dominating NSDA events. The Minnesota Debate Initiative honors this proud tradition by partnering with Debate Matters with Macalester College to deliver elite coaching that helps local debaters sharpen their edge on the state circuit and perform at their best when national tournaments come to Minnesota.
Our mission is to make high-quality debate instruction accessible to Minnesota students, regardless of school, experience level, or competitive ambitions. We cultivate independent thinkers who can build compelling arguments, engage diverse perspectives, and communicate with clarity and confidence—skills essential for academic success, civic engagement, and lifelong leadership.
Building on our state's proven debate excellence to help students succeed locally and nationally.
We teach how to think, not what to think—equipping students to analyze evidence, construct arguments, and question assumptions critically.
Every Minnesota student deserves access to elite coaching. We eliminate barriers through two tailored tracks and support for school debate programs.
Coaching is human. Experienced instructors provide personalized feedback and guidance, seeing each student as a whole person with unique potential.
Debate builds critical thinking, research & media literacy, and public speaking abilities that serve students far beyond the tournament room.
Debate forges connections and prepares students to engage thoughtfully in their schools, communities, and democracy.
Our directors are long-time leaders in the national debate community:
These values, drawn from Debate Matters' philosophy and Macalaster's commitment to liberal arts excellence, guide every aspect of our program.