Invitation

Bartlett has long been a stop for those on a journey. As an important stop along the historic stagecoach route, the community welcomed travelers as they continued on to their destination. That history lives on today in the name of one of Bartlett High School's longest-running competitive traditions: the Stagecoach Classic.

Today, we invite a new generation of travelers to make Bartlett a stop on their own journey. As a new competitive season begins, students from across the region will set out toward destinations of their own. Wherever that journey may lead, Stagecoach is one of the first stops along the way.

We invite you to begin your journey with us at the Stagecoach Classic.

The Journey Begins Here.

The 14th Annual Stagecoach Classic will be held on September 26, 2026, offering competitors an early opportunity to kick off the 2026–2027 speech and debate season. As one of the nation's first NIETOC bid tournaments of the season and the first outside of Texas, the Stagecoach Classic gives competitors an opportunity to earn bids toward qualification for the 2027 National Individual Events Tournament of Champions. The tournament will also offer qualifying bids to the University of Kentucky Tournament of Champions. Tennessee schools will additionally have the opportunity to earn bids to the 2027 THSSDL State Tournament.

The Stagecoach Classic features separate high school and middle school divisions, allowing programs to bring competitors at every level for a full day of competition.

We will be offering the following events:

High School: Dramatic Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Extemporaneous Speaking (Combined International and Domestic), Humorous Interpretation, Impromptu Speaking, Improvisational Duet Acting, Informative Speaking, Original Oratory, Original Spoken Word Poetry, Poetry, Program of Oral Interpretation, Prose, Storytelling, TV Broadcasting, Public Forum Debate (September/October topic), and Panther's Podium.

Middle School: Dramatic Interpretation, Duet Improvisation, Duo Interpretation, Extemporaneous Speaking, Humorous Interpretation, Impromptu Speaking, Informative Speaking, Original Oratory, Poetry, Prose, Storytelling, TV Broadcasting, and Public Forum Debate (September/October topic).

Schools may enter an unlimited number of entries in each event. Tripling will be allowed with the exception of competitors in TV, Extemp, and Public Forum. TV and Extemp competitors will be allowed to double but not in those events. Public Forum will not be allowed to double.

Please provide 1 judge for every 6 Individual Event entries or fraction thereof and 1 judge for every 2 Public Forum teams. Judges must be available for the entire competition to count toward a school's judging requirement and should expect to judge both middle and high school events. Lunch will be provided for judges.

Judges should bring a device that can connect to the internet since we'll be utilizing online critiques.

Thank you for making the Stagecoach Classic one of the first stops on your season. We look forward to welcoming you to Bartlett!

Kevin Rogers
Tournament Director
krogers@bartlettschools.org