[2] After becoming a professor at Ripon College, Jacob received a letter inquiring about the existence of a debate honor society.

[3] The National Forensic League was an honor society that recognized middle and high school students and coaches for participation in speech and debate activities.

There is a common misunderstanding of 'NFL' or 'forensics,' including confusion with the National Football League or crime scene investigation; changing our name to focus on the activity of speech and debate will appeal to more students, coaches, alumni, sponsors, and the general public.

[5] NSDA provides competitive speech and debate activities, resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches each year.

Debate involves an individual or a team of students working to effectively convince a judge that their side of a resolution or topic is, as a general principle, more valid.