Executive Directors

1958-1960
Robert Dunlap

1960-1962
James Gibson

1962-1964
Gene Eakins

1964-1965
Philip Gray

1965-1967
Katherine Schoen

1967-1969
Jerry Reynolds

1969-1970
Floyd Merritt

1970-1972
Kenneth Schott

1972-1975
Richard Stovall

1975-1976
Wayne Ray

1976-1980
Ted Foster

1980-1985
Paul Boase

1985-1986
Stephen Koch

1986-2003
Arlene Akerman

2003-2015
Linda Miller

2015-2023
Paul Moffitt

2024-Current
Sam Zulia

Executive Committee Chairs
(Board Chairs)

1973-1974
Jerry Boone
(Akron North HS)

1974-1976
Esther Kalmbach
(Toledo St. Francis HS)

1976-1978
George Bang
(Sylvania Southview HS)

1978-1979
Jerry Boone
(Akron North HS)

1979-1980
R. Lynne Stover
(Louisville HS)

1980-1986
Arlene Akerman
(Kettering Fairmont East HS)

1986-1988
R. Lynne Stover
(Louisville HS)

1988-1990
John Revezzo
(Niles McKinley HS)

1990-1993
Dan Matheny
(Findlay HS)

1993-1994
R. Lynne Rhodes
(Findlay HS)

1994-1995
John Revezzo
(Niles McKinley HS)

1995-1997
Marty Ebeling
(Dayton Oakwood HS)

1997-1999
John Revezzo
(Niles McKinley HS)

1999-2001
Sharen Althoff
(Wooster HS)

2001-2003
Bonnie O'Leary
(Gilmour Academy)

2003-2006
Lyle Linerode
(Gahanna Lincoln HS)

2006-2007
John Mercer
(Olmsted Falls HS)

2007-2009
?

2009-2011
Trish Sanders
(Notre Dame Academy)

2011-2012
John Revezzo
(Niles McKinley HS)

2012-2015
Nick Bollas
(GlenOak HS)

2015-2017
Rich Kawolics
(Laurel School)

2017-2020
Jeremy Hamilton
(Canfield HS)

2020-2023
Holly Custer
(Wooster HS)

2023-2026
Alan Bates
(Princeton HS)

1927-28

Birth of our parent organization occurred in the fall of 1927 when the OHIO HIGH SCHOOL DEBATING LEAGUE was originated by the public speaking Division of the English Department of the Ohio State University. Glenn Ross enrolled twenty-five schools. In the first State Debate Tournament, Youngstown East High School won over Marietta High School. 

1928-29

Membership in the League rose to 67 schools, with Hicksville High School winning the State Debate Championship over Ravenna High School. 

1935-36 

Professor Donald Riley directed the League of 88 schools and Troy High School edged Marysville High for the State Title. 

1937-38 

Director James Carrell announced that 145 schools were in the renamed Ohio High School Speech League. Competition in Extempore Speech was added. An Osborn-Bath student won First place over a Massillon High School contestant. (But Massillon High students won this title in four of the next five years.) 

1939-40 

With 165 member schools, Director Walter Emery added four new contests. Columbus North High repeated as State Debate Champion by winning over Marysville High School. First champions in the new events were:

1940-41 

A future TV star (as Captain Binghampton of McHale's Navy), named Joe Flynn of Youngstown Rayen High School, placed second in Humorous Interpretation. This year, schools began competing in large and small school divisions in Debate, with Lima Central High School winning in Class A and Marysville High winning in Class B. 

1941-42 

World War II had begun. Class A and Class B competition continued in Debate and was extended to Extempore Speech. All other speech events had no State finals during the war years (1942-1945). 

1945-46 

Dr. W. Hayes Yeager became Chairman of the Ohio State University Speech Department. Full-scale competition resumed in all events in Classes A and B, with a County League division added for four years. Louisville High School won the County League Debate title each of those four years. 

1948-50 

In Extempore Speech, boys continued to compete in the same group with girls. Bob Good of Dayton Oakwood High School placed second for two years before winning the Championship in 1950 over John Miday of Canton McKinley High School. 

1956-57 

Separate competition was introduced for boys and girls in Extempore Speech in both Class A and Class B. The Brush-Moore Newspapers donated a silver loving cup as a rotating trophy for the State Debate Champions in Class A to be retired to a school winning it three times. Port Clinton High was the first winner.

1960-61 

Director James Gibson drafted the ten member OHSSL Executive Committee to help conduct State Tournaments. Cleveland St. Ignatius High won the Debate Championship in Class A; Avon Lake High won in Class B. 

1963-64 

After questioning all member schools, the OHSSL Executive Committee grouped all schools into one class again, and since then, school size no longer determines its competitors in the State Tournament. 

1971-72 

Toledo Whitmer High School retired the Brush-Moore rotating trophy by winning the State Debate Championship for the third consecutive year. In June, Toledo Whitmer debaters captured the National Debate Championship of the National Forensic League for the second straight year. 

1976-77 

League headquarters moved to Ohio University in Athens under the sponsorship of the School of Interpersonal Communication. Prose/Poetry and Duet Acting were added as competitive events. 

1978-79 

The Executive Committee voted on and accepted a State seal to represent the Ohio High School Speech League. 

1979-80 

In an effort to increase interest in participating in debate technique, the Lincoln-Douglas style of debate was instituted as a part of the State Tournament competition.

1980-81 

An honorary Hall of Fame was established to recognize coaches of speech and debate for their excellence in communicative skills of teaching and coaching. 

1981-82 

Following the lead of other states (New York and California), Ohio became a trend-setter in the Midwest by allowing two-man debate teams to qualify for the State Tournament via pre-district qualifying tournaments. During a special presentation ceremony at the 1982 State Tournament, the first initiates to the Coaches' Hall of Fame were honored. The charter members were...

• Arlene Akerman (Fairmont East)

• Dennis Barrett (Youngstown Cardinal Mooney)

• Phyllis Barton (Cincinnati Princeton)

• William Dykins (Boardman)

• Leah Funck (Fairmont West)

• Esther Kalmbach (Toledo St. Francis)

• Louie Mattachione (Massillon Perry)

• John Miday (St. Ignatius)

• Florence Powell (Middletown)

The League endorsed (with sponsorship being a possibility in the future) the first State Novice Debate Tournament scheduled for March 12-13, 1982, at Upper Arlington High School in Columbus. This innovation was the result of the inspiration of some dedicated debate coaches throughout the state. 

1982-83

The Executive Committee revised the Constitution and catalogued the histories of the League. Additional initiates to the Coaches Hall of Fame were honored. 

1983-84

The State Tournament was held for the first time at Austintown-Fitch High School. This was also the first year for four rounds guaranteed competition in individual events. 

1984-85

The Extemporaneous category was changed from Boys and Girls to one Extemp category. 

1985-86

The Extemporaneous category was divided into two events -United States and Foreign Extemp. 

1986-87

A new League Executive Director, Mrs. Arlene Akerman, was appointed and the League Headquarters was moved to her residence at 4393 Tangent Drive, Kettering, Ohio, 45440. 

1987-88

The League celebrated its 60th Anniversary and instituted computerized scheduling for the State Tournament and a Coaches' Summer Workshop. A combined Executive Committee and district coaches meeting was held for the first time in the fall. 

1988-89

The State Tournament was held for the first time at Sandusky High School. The first successful Coaches' Workshop at Salt Fork Lodge in August of 1988 prompted the planning of a second Coaches' Workshop for August of 1989. 

1989-90

The 63rd State Tournament was held at Kettering Fairmont High School. The second successful Coaches' Workshop attracted numerous coaches to Salt Fork in August of 1989. A completely revised Constitution and By-Laws was made available to all member schools.

1990-91

The 64th State Tournament, held at Austintown Fitch High School, was dedicated to the memory of Phyllis Barton, longtime coach at Cincinnati Princeton. The League instituted Debate Speaker Awards at the State Tournament in her honor. The third Coaches' Workshop was held at Salt Fork in August of 1991. A seminar was held in May of 1991 for Ohio's National Qualifiers. 

1991-92

The 65th State Tournament was held at West Carrollton High School. The fourth Coaches' Workshop was a huge success at Salt Fork in August of 1991. Awards were presented for the first time to semi-finalists in Individual Events at the State Tournament to recognize their achievement. In addition, a cumulative Sweepstakes Award was created to present to outstanding Ohio teams. A fax machine was obtained by the League office. 

1992-93

The 66th State Tournament was held at Canton GlenOak High School. A seminar was held in June of 1993 at Fairborn High School for Ohio's National Qualifiers. An 800 phone number was obtained for the League Office. 

1993-94

The 67th State Tournament was held at Findlay High School. To accommodate the size of the tournament, three buildings were utilized successfully. Two workshops, one for Ohio's coaches and one for Ohio's national qualifiers, were conducted. At the National Forensic League National Tournament two events were won by Ohio competitors: Danny Beaty from Miami Valley captured the national title in Dramatic Interp, and Brian Ralston and Rosylyn Rhee from Centerville captured the national title in Policy Debate. A complete Constitutional revision was updated and provided for League members. 

1994-95

Austintown Fitch was once again the host school for the OHSSL's 68th State Tournament. The summer nationals workshop and coaches workshop were held again with great success. Long-time Executive Committee members Louie Mattachione and R. Lynne Stover Rhodes ended their terms, with over forty years of combined service to the Committee. 

1995-96

This year, the new Wooster High School hosted the largest State Tournament with 740 competitors. Duo Interp, a trial event for 1995-96 was added, and the first ever state champions were Khaled Tabbara and David Weldele of Austintown Fitch. The Wooster Brush Company was responsible for underwriting the State Tournament booklet. Pre-district qualifying in all events was adopted in April to begin in 1996-97. The League also reviewed its financial status and raised its membership fees for the first time in seven years. 

1996-97

The 70th State Tournament was held at Kettering Fairmont High School. The Reynolds and Reynolds Corporation of Dayton printed the State Tournament booklet while Dayton's Mead Corporation sponsored the Extemporaneous events. Duo Interp was added as a separate and equal event. The Joe Kuldau Award was instituted to honor the outstanding contestant in Humorous Interp. Centerville High School closed out the semi-final and final rounds of 2 Person Debate. 

1997-98

Berea and Midpark High Schools hosted the 71st State Tournament. Jack Bowen long time Extemp Prep Room moderator from Massillon Perry and Derran Wimer Principal at Midpark High School were given the Friend of Speech Award for their support and dedication to Ohio forensics. An Endowment Fund to augment the League was established. Numerous Cleveland coaches and schools honored competitors and coaches by sponsoring several tournament events. 

1998-99

This year’s State Tournament was uniquely opened by a bona fide Town Crier. For the first time in the League’s history two independent high schools worked together to host the State Tournament: Sylvania Northview and Southview. The Hall of Fame Reception hosted by Rotary International, was held at Lourdes College Franciscan Life Center and highlighted a Sylvania Student String Quartet. 

1999-2000

Massillon Jackson High School, in the Canton district, hosted the first state tournament of the new millennium. For the first time, a special dinner for Hall of Fame members preceded the reception and registration. A referendum of member schools resulted in the elimination of PDQ tournaments in Lincoln Douglas Debate and Individual Events. The League entered the technology era by conducting electronic registration for the first time and by purchasing two laptop computers to be used for financial statements, debate scheduling and Constitution updates by the Chairperson and Financial Secretary.

2000-2001

This year schools qualifying for the State Tournament held at Boardman High School in Youngstown district were able to register their qualifiers using the League's new electronic forms program. In the Individual events, revisions for determining quarter-finalists, semi-finalists and finalists were well-received. A critique sheet for individual events was used throughout the State for practice tournaments. 

2001-2002

Wooster High School was the host for the 75th Annual OHSSL State Tournament. The tournament was dedicated to Arlene C. Akerman in honor of her fifty-three years of service to the League. Mrs. Akerman retired as Executive Director of the League. In addition, a special state tournament award for the top speaker in Dramatic Interpretation was added in her name. Linda Miller was named to replace Mrs. Akerman as Executive Director. 

2002-2003

Princeton High School hosted the 76th Annual OHSSL State Tournament. Linda Miller successfully assumed the duties of Executive Director. Impromptu Speaking became a very popular full-fledged event at the State Tournament. A new Debate event, Controversy (aka Ted Turner Debate), was established on a trial basis. A well-attended Coaches' Workshop and Meeting was held at Wooster High School in the fall. 

2003-2004

Berea and Midpark High Schools once again hosted the 77th Annual OHSSL State Tournament. Controversy Debate was adopted as an official event and renamed Public Forum Debate. In addition, the Executive Committee, in an effort to trim the size of the State Tournament, eliminated Duet Acting as an event and eliminated NFL District Tournament qualification to the State Tournament. GlenOak High School hosted a very successful Coaches' Meeting in the fall. 

2004-2005

A lively Coaches' Meeting was held in the fal at Sylvania Northview High School. The 78th Annual OHSSL State Tournament was held at Sylvania Northview High School and Whitmer High School in the Washington Local School District (Tarhe Trails OHSSL District). Perry High School (Stark County) won the state championship for the second consecutive year. Marie Dzuris and Mike Burke were indcuted into the OHSSL Coaches' Hall of Fame. Mike Amstutz and Kathry Patron retired from the OHSSL Executive Committee and were replaced by Alan Bates (Princeton HS) and Kathryn Stone (Jackson HS). John Mercer (Olmsted Falls HS) and Thom Williams (Howland HS) were reelected to the committee. The Executive Committee reinstated NFL District Qualification to the State Tournament. 

2005-2006

At the Fall Coaches' Meeting held at Jackson High School in Canton, coaches were WOWED by a new membership video based on the 2005 State Champtionships! Executive Committee Member Trish Sanders of Notre Dame Academy was responsible for the final product. The 79th State Tournament was held at Hoover High School in North Canton and GlenOak High School in Plain Local. Wooster High School was crowned the team champion for 2006. Nick Bollas and John Mercer were elected to the Hall of Fame. In May, Fred Snook and Darren Smith completed their service on the Executive Committee. Paul Moffitt (Sylvania Southview High School) and Elaine Fippin (Our Lady of the Elms High School) were newly elected to the Executive Committee. Nick Bollas and Lyle Linerode were re-elected.