The Florida Seminary
West of the Suwannee River
&
The Florida State College

The First Debaters: 
The Platonic Debating Society, the Anaxagorean Literary Society & the Gordon Literary Society

1897 - 1905

Florida State Debate began at the Seminary West of the Suwannee River with the formation of the Platonic Debating Society, the Anaxagorean Literary Society, the Gordon Literary Society, and their tradition of bi-weekly debating and Commencement debates. The first intercollegiate debate ever held in the state of Florida was held in Tallahassee in 1898. Watch our Florida State Debate 1898 History Bit: Carter & Clark v. University of Florida video to learn more.

The Florida Female College
&
The Florida State College for Women

Intra-Literary Society Debating: 
The Minerva Club, the Thalian Literary Society & the Anvil

1905 - 1918

The Minerva and Thalian Literary Societies were established by the women of the Florida Female College, later renamed the Florida State College for Women. They established a tradition of intra-society debating, and public Commencement debates. In 1915, a third literary society, The Anvil, was formed in an effort to revitalized the tradition.

The Florida State College for Women

Hosting Exhibitions
& the Creation of the
Argumentation and Debate Class

1919 - 1935

WWI led to the demise of the literary societies and the trend toward hosting exhibition debates with participants from other schools. However, in the late 20s, there was a revival of interest in debate with the implementation of the first argumentation and debate class as well as intramural and Chapel debates. 

The Florida State College for Women
&
The Florida State University

The Birth of the
Intercollegiate Debate Team 

1936 - 1946

The National Student Federation of America student government group establishes the tradition of intercollegiate debating at the Florida State College for Women and attends the first intercollegiate tournament ever attended by Florida State Debaters.  

The Phifer Legacy

1949 - 1972

Florida State University hires a trained faculty debate coach and supports a fully competitive intercollegiate debate team. Dr. Gregg Phifer builds a broad based tradition of excellence including both intramural and intercollegiate debate tournament competition. Dr. Phifer is a powerful advocate for the integration of high school and intercollegiate debate and for free speech.

The Young Legacy

1972   -  2005

Dr. Marilyn Young returns to her undergraduate Alma mater to coach a nationally competitive intercollegiate team. Dr. Young coaches a qualifying a team for the National Debate Tournament and the winning team of the Utah tournament, the precursor to the CEDA National Tournament.  Dr. Young solidifies the Florida State Debate Tradition of Excellence as an administrator in the College of Communication & Information ensuring debate faculty level staffing, graduate assistantships, scholarships and funding for competitive debate tournament travel all while establishing herself as a respected academic and public intellectual.