On behalf of the Missouri Association of Forensic Activities (MAFA), it is my pleasure to invite you to the 2026 MAFA State Championship Tournament. This year’s MAFA Tournament will be hosted by Webster University. Thank you, our Gaggle of Gorloks, for graciously hosting our state tournament. While this is the Missouri State Tournament, we also welcome our friends from other states.

While the invitation outlines the specifics of the tournament, highlights include:

· Four rounds of NFA-LD, IPDA,  or TIPDA, with novice divisions where entries warrant

· A full slate of AFA-NST individual events.

· Dinner on Friday and Lunch on Saturday.

· Awards for ALL elimination round competitors in all events.

· Affordable fees.

· An experienced tab staff.

As has become our tradition, the top Missouri student in each event will receive a special award as the State Champion in that event. We will award individual event, debate, and combined sweepstakes for both the overall tournament, as well as entry-based divisions; we will also recognize the top school in quality performance. We also award a Top Forensicator award to our top students who participate in both individual events and debate. Additionally, the top two Missouri students in Oratory will qualify to the Interstate Oratorical Contest. We will also recognize all graduating MAFA seniors at our awards ceremony.

Beyond student and school recognition, we encourage you to nominate individuals for the two awards we present annually to professionals in our activity—Coach of the Year Award and Distinguished Service Award. Information for each of these awards is included in this invitation.

Tournament entries are to be made on forensicstournament.net. Entries should be made by no later than 5:00pm Tuesday, February 10th. Fees will be assessed at 7:00 Tuesday, February 10th. Detailed and updated tournament information (links to registration, help desk, extemp draw, etc.) will be emailed with confirmations once fees are assessed Tuesday night.

On behalf of MAFA and its officers, we hope to see you in February!

John Wallis

MAFA President/Tournament Director

Director of Speech and Debate | Assistant Professor

Newberry College

john.wallis@newberry.edu