Published on May 14, 2025 by Gunnar Sadowey  
TJRiggsBADL
TJ Riggs speaks to middle and high school debaters in Brooks Hall.

The Birmingham Area Debate League (BADL), an outreach initiative of Samford University’s Howard College of Arts and Sciences, marked its thirtieth anniversary this academic year with more than 200 Birmingham-area students engaging in monthly, cost-free debate competitions on Samford’s campus.

Thompson High School and Bumpus Middle School emerged as champions in the high school and middle school divisions, respectively, after a year of rigorous research and rhetoric centered on topics such as U.S. border security and military support for Taiwan.

Founded in 1994, the BADL has served as a gateway to critical thinking, public speaking and civic engagement for thousands of students over the years. The league held five tournaments during the 2024–25 season, each welcoming students from across Jefferson and Shelby Counties to participate in a format that emphasizes both skill development and accessibility.

“Every time area middle and high school debaters come to our campus for the BADL, they demonstrate courage, perseverance and hard work,” said Dawn McCormack, Howard College Dean. “Whether they win or not, these tournaments give them such important life skills. We are honored to facilitate this important opportunity for these students.”

Thompson High School clinched the top spot in the high school division after defeating a team from Jefferson County International Baccalaureate in the championship round. Other top contenders included Hewitt-Trussville High School and Gardendale High School. In the middle school division, Bumpus Middle School dominated the field with four teams finishing in the top six. Oak Mountain and North Jefferson Middle Schools also ranked highly.

The BADL is coordinated by the Samford Debate Team under the guidance of Howard College faculty. This season’s league was directed by TJ Riggs, a law, politics and society graduate and four-year member of the Samford Debate Team.

Interim director of debate Mike Janas praised the league’s legacy and future.

“BADL stands as a testament to what meaningful outreach and academic mentorship can achieve,” said Janas. “We are deeply committed to expanding its reach.”

The BADL remains free of charge to all participating schools, with Samford providing facilities, judging support and mentorship to ensure a low-barrier experience. As the program looks ahead to its thirty-first season, continued community and donor support will be essential to sustaining and growing this platform for student expression and achievement.

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Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.