By Jared Howell
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee State University Forensics Speech and Debate Team has reclaimed its place at the top of HBCU collegiate forensics, capturing the Overall Sweepstakes Championship at the National HBCU Speech and Debate Championships, held Feb. 6–7 at Texas Southern University in Houston.
In a highly competitive field, Tennessee State secured the national title by a margin of just half a point, edging out defending champion Howard University in one of the closest finishes in tournament history.
The victory marks Tennessee State’s fourth national championship at the event, further establishing the program as the most decorated team in National HBCU Speech and Debate Championships history. After winning three consecutive titles prior to a two-year championship run by Howard University, TSU’s 2026 win represents a return to the summit.
Senior Aaron Anderson led the team with one of the most dominant individual performances of the tournament. Anderson earned first-place championships in Prose, Poetry, and Dramatic Interpretation, securing First Place Individual Overall among more than 120 competitors. A four-year competitor, Anderson’s performance underscored the sustained excellence of Tennessee State’s program.
“This championship means more because of who we competed against,” said Executive Captain Jared Howell. “The National HBCU Speech and Debate Championships is one of the few spaces where Historically Black Colleges and Universities come together in pure competitive excellence. The preparation is elite, the atmosphere is electric, and the talent is undeniable. When HBCUs are given the platform to compete at the highest level, we do not just participate. We dominate.”
The narrow margin of victory reflected the intensity of the competition and the depth of talent across all participating universities. Every round and every point proved decisive.
Tennessee State concluded the championships earning First Place Overall Combined Sweepstakes, First Place Individual Event Sweepstakes, Fourth Place Debate Sweepstakes, and nearly two dozen individual awards, reinforcing its legacy as a national powerhouse in collegiate forensics. To learn more about TSU forensics team visit www.tnstate.edu/communications/forensics.aspx.
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.
