BAUDL Aaron Thomas Memorial Tournament

The Bay Area Urban Debate League (BAUDL) presents the 2026 BAUDL Aaron Thomas Memorial Debate Tournament!

BAUDL is a non-profit that aims to make competitive debate education available to Bay Area public schools so that all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential as engaged learners, critical thinkers, and capable civic advocates. BAUDL believes that debate increases student academic performance, enriches and expands their college and career opportunities, and provides the intellectual and networking tools for youth to thrive as active, responsible leaders in their communities.

If you are interested in supporting the BAUDL program, please consider donating your time to judge the tournament. Debate tournaments cannot run without judges like you to listen to and engage. No experience necessary, judge training will be provided before and during the tournament. Please reach out to the tournament contact listed on the right side panel if you are interested in volunteering to judge. If you are unavailable or unable to judge, consider donating instead! Donate here to support Bay Area youth in cutting-edge debate education and leadership development. And see if your company is providing corporate matching.

Tournament Location: Mission High School

Tournament Address: 3750 18th St. San Francisco, CA 94114

Tournament Date: Saturday, January 31st

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Middle School Policy Topic: The United States Federal Government should suspend funding school resource officers, and increase funding for restorative justice, counselors, school social workers and other mental health supports for students and school communities.

High School Policy Topic:Resolved: The United States federal government should significantly increase its exploration and/or development of the Arctic.

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Only competitors from member schools of the Bay Area Urban Debate League (BAUDL) are qualified to enter this tournament. If you believe your school would qualify for support from BAUDL and would like to start a debate program, reach out to the tournament contact!

The tournament will consist of a Middle School Policy Division, a High School Policy Novice Division and a High School Policy Open Division. For each division there will be 4 preliminary debate rounds, followed directly by an awards ceremony. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all competitors, coaches and judges.

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Middle School Tournament Schedule

9:00 AM - Breakfast & Registration for all Middle School competitors

10:00 AM - Round 1

11:00 AM - Round 2

12:00 PM - Lunch

1:00 PM - Round 3

2:00 PM - Round 4

3:00 PM - Awards Ceremony for all Middle School competitors

3:30 PM - Middle School Dismissal

High School Tournament Schedule

8:00 AM - Breakfast & Registration for all High School competitors

9:00 AM - Round 1

11:00 AM - Round 2

1:00 PM - Lunch

2:00 PM - Round 3

4:00 PM - Round 4

6:00 PM - Awards Ceremony for all High School competitors

7:00 PM - High School Dismissal

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If you have questions about the tournament or need assistance registering your school, please reach out to the tournament director Sekayi Bardell at sbardell@baudl.org. We look forward to hosting you all!