Welcome from the Northwestern University Speech Team

The members of the Northwestern University Speech Team take pride in the team culture that has been established. Although winning is important, it is only a byproduct of the excellence we pursue. We measure our success by the ability of our students to improve as people, students, and speakers. Members of the Northwestern University Speech Team have continued on to incredible law schools, graduate programs, and careers. Even more impressive is how the experience on the team allows every member to excel throughout life.

This dedication to the betterment of each individual on the team has also resulted in notable competitive success. Since the year 2000, the Northwestern University Speech Team has won fifteen individual national championships and four team national championships for our size division. All four team championships and nine individual national championships have been won over the last four years.

The team has been well regarded for a long history of limited preparation expertise. Fifteen of the past eighteen national champions in limited preparation events have been coached by Northwestern University coaches or alumni. In 2011, Northwestern University won national championships in both Impromptu and Extemporaneous Speaking.

In 2012, the national champion in Extemporaneous speaking and the third place speaker were from Northwestern University. The team also had two students place in the National Final Round of Impromptu Speaking, winning the both the National Championship and National Runner’s Up position.

For more information about the team, please contact the Northwestern University Director of Individual Events, Ryan Lauth, at r-lauth@northwestern.edu.