About the IVC Speech & Debate Team

The History

When Irvine Valley College was established in 1980, it wasn’t long until IVC had it’s own speech and debate program.  The school’s first Director of Forensics, Craig Grossman joined forces with the Saddleback College Forensics Team Coached by Co-Directors Bob Borneman and Paul Crary to create the Saddleback District Forensics Team.  As Saddleback Forensics, the team won many awards throughout the state and the nation.  

In 1987, the Saddleback Community College District changed its name to the South Orange County Community College District. In doing so, the district team changed its name to South Orange County Forensics.  At the time Co-Directors of the squad, included Gary Rybold and Larry Radden.  The team had won numerous awards and successes.    During the Rybold and Radden years, the SOC has won the Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensics Association Season Sweepstake Titles for a number of years, five consecutive National Parliamentary Debate Association National Championships, and numerous sweepstakes trophies at Phi Rho Pi, the California Community College Forensics Association, and at regional invitational.  

In 2006, SOC Forensics decided to part their ways and function as two separate entities.  As Irvine Valley College, the team plans to continue their levels of tradition excelling at the local, state, and national levels. 

Who can compete for IVC Forensics?

The IVC Forensics Program (a.k.a.. IVC Speech and Debate Team) is open to all students and majors.  Students who are enrolled in at least 6.0 semester units and have a 2.0 GPA are eligible to compete.  The class, SP 106: Forensics Activity, is worth 1.0, 2.5, or 4.0 semester credits and may be repeated for four semesters.  Experience is not required.  The desire to better oneself is all that matters. 

How do you join IVC Forensics?

To join, please contact Gary Rybold (949-451-5417 or grybold@ivc.edu) or Edwin Tiongson (949-451-5346 or etiongson@ivc.edu) for more information.