COACHES MAKE DEBATE POSSIBLE
2027 Coach of the Year Application, Qualifying Information & Key Dates
The Coach of the Year award recognizes that teachers who coach debate are essential to the Urban Debate Network meeting our core mission: helping students to become more academically successful — and civically engaged — through the support and rigor of debate. This award honors that work.
We are asking each league to nominate one coach for the award. The winner will be honored in conjunction with our Coach Appreciation festivities at the Urban Debate National Championship (UDNC) at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. The UDNC is scheduled for March 19-21, 2027.
Qualifications
- Urban Debate League high school team coach for at least one year
- Full-time teacher at the affiliated league school
Note: School must have a free/reduced lunch rate of at least 75% - Able to attend the Urban Debate National Championship
Key Dates
Oct. 27 – Application Opens
Nov. 30 – Application Closes
Dec. 7-10 – NAUDL Team Review Window
TBD – Coach of the Year Announcement
March 19-21 – Urban Debate National Championship
Additional Notes:
- NAUDL will continue the annual process of working with the league whose coach was selected as the Coach of the Year to coordinate an announcement.
For questions about the application form or process, please contact Taylor Beck at taylorbeck@urbandebate.org.
