Speech-debate team returns to USU after a 20-year hiatus

It took 20 years, but Utah State University finally has a speech and debate team again.

USU's speech and debate program fizzled in 1983 due to budget constraints. That was back when graduate student Tom Worthen coached the team.

Worthen, current team coach and a faculty member in USU's department of languages and philosophy, got the team going again and is using money from his own pocket for funding, according to a press release.

The 37-member team is now competing in tournaments.

"The speech and debate team is a wonderful outlet that polishes students as speakers and individuals," Worthen said in the release.

USU is apparently the only university in Utah that does not have a university-funded speech and debate team. USU is presently donating resources to help Worthen's team.