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What is Forensics?

Forensics is a multi-faceted activity with a variety of ways to participate. It encompasses debate, oratory, public speaking, and interpretation of literature. Forensics is an activity that prides itself on promoting excellence in communication while welcoming and embracing students' viewpoints.

Speeches are often written about serious, noteworthy topics including, but not limited to: social prejudices, economic or political issues, and technological advances. Interpreted literature is often derived from sources of literary merit focusing on modern worldly issues.

The UW Forensics Team is always looking for enthusiastic students looking to become involved with a nationally recognized and extremely competitive team!

What do we do? Read the Event Descriptions.

Team History

The University of Wisconsin has boasted a very strong forensics program over the school’s history. In 1989 and 1990, the UW forensics team finished first and second (Division I), respectively, in the country at the prestigious National Forensic Association (NFA) National Tournament. These national finishes were accompanied by five individual event national champions and an overall pentathlon champion (Stephanie Kaplan, 1990). Despite these successes, budget cuts forced the team to be discontinued in 1991.

Recognizing the importance of a forensics program, incoming freshman students Christopher Klundt, Lindsay Barone and Brian Schaefers reinstated the program in 2001. Over the subsequent years, the team grew in size, strength and success. The team is now sponsored by the Letters & Science Honors Program, has an adequate travel budget, one paid part-time coach and several volunteer coaches.

The team's part-time coach, Ben Jedd was a competitor at Bradley University from 1996-2000, where he had numerous individual national finals as well as numerous team national championships. He received his Masters from Ball State where he was the Assistant Director of Forensics and helped organize the NFA National Tournament.

Want to go back further? Read More History.

Our Team

What makes Wisconsin Forensics unique?

Well, for one we are a student-run team. This means that the vast majority of decisions concerning the team are made by the team. We choose which tournaments we attend, what events we compete in, even what hotels we stay in. The students are the leaders. This an experience which you won't find at many other schools.

Check out our Team Constitution.

Along with a desire to succeed, we believe that this activity has two goals, to help students grow as competitors AND students. While winning is great, success is a by-product of the learning process. And learning always comes first.

Not to say that we don't win. Because we do. A lot.

Questions? Email us: forensics@rso.wisc.edu