The Tournament of Champions (TOC) has long been recognized as the defining standard of excellence in high school debate. Leading Directors of Debate from top universities affirm its unmatched influence on college recruitment and academic preparation:

• Dr. Tripp Rebrovick, Harvard Debate Council: "Participating in speech and debate provides students with a life-changing and transformative opportunity to develop as advocates, critical thinkers, decision makers, and researchers. Within this world, the Tournament of Champions stands above the rest and offers students a unique opportunity to hone these skills while competing against the best of their peers. The rigorous qualification process provides a benchmark against which students can measure their own success while also enabling them to visit the nation's premier universities and high schools — no longer just in the United States, but increasingly around the globe. Students who reach the TOC have put in the necessary time and effort to distinguish themselves on the global stage."

• Aaron Kall, University of Michigan: “The TOC and its unique bid qualification system have forever changed the lexicon and competitive goals of high school debaters. The impressive achievements and associated hard work of TOC-caliber debaters do not go unnoticed by college and university officials, alums, and donors.”

• Dr. Daniel Fitzmier, Northwestern University: “The Tournament of Champions at the University of Kentucky is the nation's premier high school debate competition. From the perspective of a college debate director, the TOC and its rigorous qualification process reveal the top group of recruits each season and give college coaches a chance to see them compete at the highest level.”

• Dr. Mikaela Malsin, Emory University: "Hosting a TOC bid tournament is enormously significant. Emory's admissions office recognizes the value of this event for showcasing the campus and offering prospective students the ability to imagine themselves as part of Emory. Many of our students and ultimately alums have their first contact with Emory through our tournament, thanks in no small part to its TOC affiliation. When we speak to students who have qualified to the TOC in any event, we know that they have poured many hours into debate and reached the heights of the activity. That kind of marker is invaluable as we assess and work with recruits."

• Dr. Brendon Bankey, University of Texas at Austin: “In addition to hosting the most rigorous high school speech and debate national championship tournament in the United States, the TOC qualification process is responsible for growing debate nationally. To the extent that there is a ‘national circuit’ in high school speech and debate, it is because of the TOC. This allows students to build networks with students outside their states and introduces them to college campuses.”

• Dr. R. Jarrod Atchison, Wake Forest University: “The Tournament of Champions has defined the best of the best for decades. The TOC bid process has bolstered the importance of regular season tournaments, helped set tangible markers for success, and provided key goals for countless students. As a college director of debate, I can testify that the TOC has dramatically bolstered the overall quality of college debate as students join our programs with an understanding of what it means to commit themselves to winning a national championship.”