University of Florida Speech Team

10/28/2025

Hi everyone! We are hosting a virtual tournament via Zoom next Friday and Saturday—Nov. 7&8–and we could use some volunteers to judge. We host this tournament free of entry fees to allow teams with low budgets and opportunity to compete. But we can’t do it without volunteers.

I hope you’ll consider signing up!

On behalf of UF's Speech and Debate Society, thank you for your willingness to volunteer your time to judge with us. In the form below, please check all boxes indicating the time you can be available to judge. We send out confirmations the week of the tournament. This is a virtual tournament, so you...

02/20/2025

Today is UF’s Annual Giving Day. All those alums out there, let’s dig deep and give back to an organization that has given so much to you.

Speech and Debate at UF has provided training and experience in competitive communication and critical thinking skills for students over the past century. You’ve been a part of this history. Now we need your help more than ever.

02/14/2025

Hey folks! It’s that time of year—UF’s annual Stand Up and Holler giving event. Please consider donating to keep our students competing throughout the nation in speech and debate events.

Use this link on or before Thursday, February 20 to help out!

Speech and Debate at UF has provided training and experience in competitive communication and critical thinking skills for students over the past century. You’ve been a part of this history. Now we need your help more than ever.

10/29/2024

Calling alums! We are participating in an online tournament this weekend and the organizers could use some more judges. It’s a zoom tournnament and has no entry fees—so they rely on VOLUNTEER judges.

If you are interested in judging speech this Saturday please let me know as soon as possible!

Thanks all!

02/13/2024

It is that time of year again! Please make a donation to keep our teams on the road!

Just use this link: https://givingday.ufl.edu/campaigns/speech-and-debate

11/20/2023

Hey folks! Kellie is retiring in just a couple of weeks. Whether you are currently on the team or a member of our alumni, please consider using the link provided to offer up a memory of Kellie and a photo if you've got one!

I’d be very THANKFUL if you did. 😊

Here is the link for your convenience:

Access Google Forms with a personal Google account or Google Workspace account (for business use).

08/24/2023

Learn about UF’s Speech and Debate Team and how it can help you foster connections with other UF students, enhance your communication and deliberation skills, and become part of a historic student organization in the Gator Nation. The team is open to undergraduate students. No experience or auditions required to join! Come check us out at our Open House on September 5 at 6:30pm in Rolfs Hall 211.

06/06/2023

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing you all today to report the sudden passing of one of UF Speech and Debate's alums, Danny Diaz.
Danny was on the Debate Team at UF in the early 2000s, and those of us who knew him loved him for his fun, loving, and sweet personality. He was one of the first people that I met on the team and he made me feel so welcome.
Danny passed away in December of this year and the family has already had a memorial with a burial. You can find the obituary from the Miami Herald here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/herald/name/daniel-diaz-obituary?id=38491639. Included in this is mention of his time on the UF Debate Team.
After graduation, Danny went on to have a wonderful career in PR, and was remembered by the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Chairman in this article: : https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/herald/name/daniel-diaz-obituary?id=38491639
If you would like to leave a memory on the digital memorial that was created for the family, you can do so here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/miami-fl/daniel-diaz-11074671
This weekend on June 11, his birthday, there will be a "Celebration of Life" for Danny that is being held in Miami as part of the Danny Diaz Foundation. It's mission is "to honor his legacy by furthering his cause and perpetuating his positive impact on society...[and to] honor his legacy and continue his philanthropic work such as supporting the LGBTQIA+ Community, giving to others in need, local community projects and his love for his Cuban heritage."
If you will be in the area and would like to attend, you will need to RSVP using the link below. I know that this is last minute and so it will be difficult for folks to attend, but you can show your love for Danny by uploading a photo memory here and/or on the Danny Diaz Foundation Website, where you can also send in a donation if you'd like: https://www.thedannydiazfoundation.com/

Honoring the Legacy of Danny Diaz The Danny Diaz Foundation is a heartfelt tribute to the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Daniel Diaz. We are dedicated to preserving his memory and continuing his passion for the things he cared about most.About Danny:Danny was an extraordinary individual who....

04/03/2023

Hey hey hey!

We've got news from AFA! Freshman Ophilea Abidoye advanced to Quarter Finals in Prose and Sophomore Sophia Williams advanced to Quarter Finals in Informative!

No breaks in B Flight but we are waiting on results for C Flight.

All for the Gators!

02/16/2023

Today is Giving Day at UF! Please consider giving a donation to the UF Speech and Debate Society today!

It's easy, just use this link: https://givingday.ufl.edu/campaigns/speech-and-debate