Mike Bietz

Lincoln-Douglas DebatePolicy DebatePublic Forum DebateMiddle School Public Debate ProgramClassroom PrepIn-Person: Los AngelesWorld Schools DebateParliamentary Debate
Written By MKB

Head Debate Coach, Harvard-Westlake School, 2007-2024 · Summer Debate Program Director, Harvard-Westlake School, 2014-2024 · Director, Victory Briefs, 2001-2014 · Head Lincoln-Douglas Debate Coach, Edina High School, 1999-2005 · Head Policy Debate Coach, Apple Valley High School, 1998-1999

    • The first and only coach from Southern California to be inducted into the Tournament of Champions Coach Hall of Fame and the Emory University Barkley Forum Coaches Gold Key Society

    • The first and only Asian-American coach inducted into the Tournament of Champions Coach Hall of Fame

    • The only coach to coach the TOC LD Champion and NSDA LD Champion in the same year

    • One of only two coaches to coach two TOC LD Champions and two NSDA LD Champions in the same year

    National Championship Accomplishments (Tournament of Champions, NSDA, NDCA, Novice Nationals)

    • Qualified 98 entries to the Tournament of Champions as a program director

    • National Championships: 14 (2 NSDA, 2 TOC, 1 NDCA, 1 MSPDP,  8 Novice Nationals)

    • National Runners-Up: 11  (2 LD TOC, 1 World Schools TOC, 3 NDCA, 5 Novice Nationals)

    • National Semi-finalists:14

    • National Elim Round Participants (Total): 99

  • Awards

    • Coach Hall of Fame, Tournament of Champions / 2024

    • Coaches Gold Key Society, Barkley Forum for High Schools, Emory University / 2022

    • Chuck Ballingal Community Service Award, Trojan HS Invitational, University of Southern California / 2018

    • Coach of the Year, Minnesota Debate Teachers Association / 2004

    • Assistant Coach of the Year, Minneapple Debate Tournament, Apple Valley HS, MN / 1996

    Current Appointments

    • Tournament of Champions Advisory Committee Member since 1996

    • Board member, Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate League (Urban Debate League)

    Previous Appointments

    • National Debate Coaches Association (NDCA) Board Member

    • President of the NDCA Board

    • Consultant with the NSDA Online Migration Project

    • LD Tabroom director, UC Berkeley High School Invitational

    Tabroom Event Director

    • Stanford National HS Invitational

    • Jack Howe Invitational at CSULB

    • USC Trojan Invitational

    • Peninsula Invitational

  • Description text goes here

  • The first and only coach from Southern California and the only Asian-American to be inducted into the Tournament of Champions Coach Hall of Fame

  • Coach of 14 National Championships (2 NSDA, 2 TOC, 1 NDCA, 1 MSPDP,  8 Novice Nationals); 11 National Runners-up (2 LD TOC, 1 World Schools TOC, 3 NDCA, 5 Novice Nationals); 14 National Semi-finalists

Areas of Expertise

Lincoln-Douglas Debate · Policy Debate · Public Forum Debate · Middle School Public Debate Program (MSPDP) · Classroom Prep · World Schools Debate · Parliamentary Debate

Teaching Interests

I have coached all types of debate in grades 4-12. From the main debate events (Lincoln-Douglas, Policy, Public Forum, World Schools, and Middle School (MSPDP)), to written debate formats such as IPPF, to shorter/experimental types of debate, I believe that the core debate skills are fundamentally the same.

I can also organize a bespoke debate experience that includes instruction and practice debate rounds for students who may not be on a debate team, but would like to learn the skills taught in competitive debate.

Debate Coaches: You are very busy. Running a team is hard, especially with trying to give each debater individual attention at different skill levels. I know because I spent over 20 years with your relentless debate schedule. We know a lot of debaters (and parents) will find other activities or complain if they feel they can’t get extra help outside of your team’s practice schedule. I can be trustworthy and cost-efficient helping hand, as compared to hiring more assistant coaches. Whether it is for specific topic prep, additional practice for your extra-motivated debaters (or those who need to catch-up), or to watch practice rounds, please reach out via the form below and we can discuss how I can help your program. I have spent my entire career advocating for school-based debate programs. I will conform to your progams philosophy, mission and, if you would like, update you on the debaters who work with me.

Book an Appointment or Free Consultation

Do you have questions for Mike? Reach out using the form below:

 
MKB
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