Brian Lain
Professor and director of debate
UNT lists Dr. Brian Lain as a Communication Studies professor and Director of Debate. The team page identifies him as its debate director.
Official biographySourceSourceUNT Debate
The University of North Texas debate team competes in public-policy and IPDA debate at regional and national tournaments.
Collegiate debate program
University of North Texas
- University of North Texas — Denton · Denton, TX
Activity: Active
UNT reports two fifth-place finishes at the April 2026 IPDA National Tournament, documenting 2025–26 team participation.
Season 2025-2026. Evidence dated 2026-04-13. Verified 2026-11-02.
SourceSourceAlso known as University of North Texas Debate Team, North Texas Debate Team.
Claiming and corrections are free. A coach or authorized officer can request access.
Claim or manage this programHow the program debates
Participation is open to UNT undergraduates. The team meets Tuesdays at 5 p.m. in GAB 325, and prospective members can contact the debate director through the program page. The program also hosts high-school and college debate tournaments and the Mean Green Comet Debate Institute. UNT traces campus debate to its 19th-century literary societies and a 1904 oratorical association.
Debate formats
Circuits and associations
- National Debate Tournament · Documented participation · Season not documentedSource
- Cross-Examination Debate Association · Documented participation · Season not documentedSource
- National Forensic Association · Documented participation · Season not documentedSourceSource
- International Public Debate Association · Documented participation · Season not documentedSourceSource
Joining and participation
- Eligibility
- Open to all undergraduate students enrolled at the University of North Texas.Source
- How to join
- Contact the debate director through the program page to ask about joining.Source
- Practice arrangements
- The team meets Tuesdays at 5 p.m. in GAB 325.Source
Coaches and notable connections
Cathy Krendl
Notable debate-team alumna
UNT identifies Krendl (’67) as a former team debater. The university reports that she became the first woman tenured professor at the University of Denver and wrote eight books on Colorado law.
Official biographySourceHistory and achievements
UNT traces organized campus debate to the Kendall-Bruce and McKinley Literary Societies, which formed an Oratorical Association in 1904; the campus established a Pi Kappa Delta chapter in 1926–27.Source
2026 · IPDA National Championship Tournament
A UNT team entry tied for fifth nationally.
IPDA public debate · Team Debate
SourceSource2026 · IPDA National Championship Tournament
A varsity entry reached the quarterfinals and tied for fifth nationally.
IPDA public debate · Varsity
Source2026 · IPDA 2025–26 season ranking
Finished among the top 30 programs out of 190 colleges and universities in the IPDA season ranking.
IPDA public debate · Program standings
Source
Sources and verification
- UNT Debate — official program, formats, joining and Denton campus
Checked 2026-11-02
- UNT Debate reports 2025–26 IPDA national tournament results
Checked 2026-11-02
- 2026 IPDA National Championship team-debate results
Checked 2026-11-02
- UNT Communication Studies faculty directory — Brian Lain
Checked 2026-11-02
- UNT reports debate-team history and alumna Cathy Krendl
Checked 2026-11-02
Historical connections and results describe the named program and season. Contact the program for current participation details.
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