UWG Debate Team Welcomes a New Chapter with Regents Cup Win Share this page
The University of West Georgia Debate Team recently brought home a Regents Cup victory that reflected a year of growth and the emergence of a new generation of debaters. The win also marked a significant moment for a program in leadership transition.
The University System of Georgia’s Regents Cup is a public-facing debate competition that emphasizes quick preparation, adaptability and communication under pressure. Participants receive their topics 30 minutes prior to the debate and have only that allotted time to build their arguments. Topics can range from AI’s place in education and academia to whether Georgia colleges should begin offering 90-credit-hour bachelor’s degree programs.
This year’s competing duo was Bruce Missell, a sophomore, and James Kennon, a first-year student.
Dr. Justin Kirk, UWG’s current director of debate, and Dr. Geoffrey Lundeen, UWG’s head coach for the debate team, described the season as a rebuilding year for a younger team following the graduation of several senior debaters. Since October, Missell and Kennon have competed in nearly 50 rounds at various events, according to Kirk.
The debate team also competed in two national tournaments and hosted a public debate at UWG, experiences Kirk said prepared the students for the high-pressure tournament setting.
While their partnership wasn't originally planned, Missell credits their success to their complementary styles.
“We’re both flexible thinkers but we both think very differently. We have different knowledge sets that work together well,” Missell explained, adding that there wasn't a problem they couldn't solve by “putting our heads together.”
Kirk observed this synergy in action during the tournament.
“If there was one thing that one of them knew better than the other, they would take five minutes out of their prep and help the other person prepare,” Kirk noted.
Missell and Kennon’s victory at the tournament reflected the team’s broader growth this season, with the two stepping up to provide new team leadership after many members of the team had graduated. Their performance at the Regents Cup capped off months of preparation and competition against strong opponents. The intensity of the Regents Cup’s 30-minute preparation window was a major factor in the victory.
Despite over a decade of experience, Missell described the process as “stressful,” noting that even with a clear vision, “it always takes time to put it together.” This pressure forced the duo to “think on our feet” and create “creative arguments that have the room to be adapted to the round.”
Kirk noted that their previous experience in national tournaments like the Cross Examination Debate Association’s 2026 competition and the National Debate Tournament allowed them to remain confident and calm despite the pressure from the clock during the Regents Cup.
“We had an outstanding novice class this year,” Lundeen stated. “We finished the year ranked in the top five novice programs in the country.”
The win also comes during a leadership transition for the program. It is Kirk’s first year as director of debate at UWG, while Lundeen has been involved with UWG debate for more than two decades and has served as head coach for the past 10 years.
According to Kirk, UWG has had only three directors of debate in the past 53 years. For him, taking the helm of such a storied program is about balancing tradition with a fresh perspective.
“I want the competitive success and the trophies we bring in to reflect the history of the debate program at West Georgia, which is one of long-term respect within the debate community and intellectual level,” Kirk said, while also expressing his excitement to “build a new generation for West Georgia students.”
The program has also built a strong national reputation, with three national championships since its founding in 1935.
For UWG debate, the Regents Cup win is one more step in a season of growth. Missell believes this victory is a sign of things to come.
All of the success we’ve seen – including at the Regents Cup – is a pattern that indicates two things,” he stated. “There is no style of debate UWG is willing to shy away from, and there’s no style of debate UWG doesn’t play to win.”
The program remains open to students of any experience level, with events and updates shared online at www.westga.edu/academics/scfm/debate/index.php.