Oregon Debate and Speech Institute

The University of Oregon Forensics Program was founded, with the University, in 1876. Initially the program consisted of two, student formed forensic societies, which developed into "doughnut league" inter-dorm competitions in the 1890s. In 1891 the UO began intercollegiate competition with a debate on the topic of labor against Willamette University in nearby Salem, OR. Forensics continued to grow as a staple of the University's community and by 1911, the team was so successful that they could charge admission to debates. Money raised during these events was often donated to the fledgling University of Oregon football program.