UNT Debate Team director Brian Lain, associate professor of communication studies, was named coach of the 2012 American National Debate Team.

This summer, Lain traveled to Japan to coach the American team in competitive and non-competitive exhibition debates against students at colleges, universities and high schools in Japan. The event -- hosted by the National Communication Association's Committee on International Discussion and Debate -- promotes international understanding and communication through discussion and debates between students from the U.S. and other nations.

Under Lain's leadership, the UNT Debate Team has qualified eight out of 10 years for the National Debate Tournament. And UNT debate students have qualified each year since 2002 for the Cross Examination Debate Association National Tournament.