Our Interview With Dr. Ryan Goke, PhD, Director of the Speech and Debate Union at Murray State University

By the Juris Education Interview Team

Dr. Ryan Goke, PhD, is the Director of the Speech and Debate Union and Assistant Professor in the department of Org Com & Leadership at Murray State University.

1. What types of debates or formats does your union participate in?

We compete in NPDA, IPDA, and dabble a little bit in TIPDA. We also do a showcase each semester for the campus community.

2. What are some of the biggest takeaways or real-world benefits that students gain from participating in your debate union?

Critical thinking, the ability to research and to evaluate sources, exploring both sides of an argument, representing ideas they disagree with, forming nuanced opinions, and the ability to express their beliefs in an eloquent way are some of the skills my students learn through debate.

3. What’s the most challenging and the most rewarding aspect of joining a debate union?

I think the most challenging part is time management: my debaters are juggling the roles of student, competitor, and community member. They put in dozens of hours of work at practice each week in addition to their full-time student workload, part-time jobs, travel to competitions, time spent preparing for the community events and tournaments we host, and maybe a little free time for their personal lives. It’s a full load and managing all the complex parts of their individual identity takes time to master. 

The most rewarding part for me as a coach is watching my debaters reach their potential as competitors and as full-fledged adults. As a competitor myself, debate provided me with lifelong friendships. Those bonds are forged in the fires of adrenaline-fueled tournament weekends: long bus rides, sleepless nights, countless slices of pizza, and lots of coffee. The friends you make through speech & debate will always be there for you.     

4. How does debating help students become more confident speakers?

All the styles of debate we participate in are limited prep, so students learn to speak for extended periods of time with limited notes and resources. Most of their arguments are crafted on the fly as they engage their opponent. Learning to speak with very limited preparation challenges students to elaborate and explain in great detail as they go, which hones their ability to organize their thoughts and speak eloquently in real time. There are a lot of moving parts, and as the students master these skills, they learn to trust themselves, their teammates, and their coaches. Consistent tests of their skills continue to refine their abilities and strengthen their confidence.  

5. Do you think aspiring law school applicants can benefit from joining a debate union? How so?

Absolutely! Debate gives a unique opportunity to students to develop their listening, critical thinking, and impromptu speaking skills; these are all skills that will benefit future attorneys. Additionally, law schools are looking for exceptional students that are involved in their campus community, which is an opportunity that a debate union provides. When you apply to law school, any extracurriculars that help you stand out can give you a competitive advantage on your resume, and the recruiters are particularly interested in students that have debate experience. I have also found that speech & debate polishes the interview skills of students as they go through the application process, making them a more competitive candidate that is able to articulate their strengths. 

6. Do you know of any former members of your debate union who have successfully gone on to law school? If so, how did their debate experience contribute to their success?

Yes, I have students who have successfully gone on to law school, and I know several former teammates and “adversaries” on the debate circuit that are now attorneys. For many of those individuals, the ability to understand and articulate case law, the constitution, and supreme court decisions made them an exceptional candidate for their respective law schools. By the time they were applying to law schools, those individuals also had years of experience in the debate union that had influenced their interest in law and their skills as an orator and researcher. 

7. What advice would you give to aspiring law students who are considering joining a debate union in college but aren’t sure if it’s the right fit for them?

Do it! Check out the team and see if it’s the right fit for you. The debate union may not be a perfect indication of law school, but it will give you a pretty accurate picture of the types of topics you might encounter as an attorney and the skills you’ll want to use on a daily basis. Regardless of your future profession, debate unions provide skills and friendships that will help you wherever your path may lead. 

‍Juris Education is proud to interview experts like Dr. Ryan Goke to help future lawyers understand the benefits of extracurricular involvement in college. Learn more about how our experts can help you get into law school today.

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