We are excited to welcome three top debaters from the prestigious Irish Times National debate competition who will square off against three top debaters from the MTSU Blue Raider Debate team.

The Irish Times Debate is Ireland's oldest intervarsity debating competition and is considered the most prestigious. Read about this year's competition here: The Irish Times Debate.

Dr. Pat Richey, an Honors College professor of Communications, has been the Blue Raider Debate coach since 2011. Under his leadership, the program has won 11 individual and team national championships. In addition to being an outstanding Debate Coach, Pat is also an Army veteran who was deployed to Iraq during his service. Regarding the talent at MTSU, coach Richey states," We have real talent in the student population... We can hold our own against flagship institutions." The topic for the debate will be determined once the Irish winners have been announced.

Please join us in welcoming the Irish to Middle Tennessee as they face off against our MTSU students for an informative and entertaining program.