Founded in 1908, the Yale Debate Association initially hosted debates with Harvard and Princeton three times a year.
Teams of three students each debated topics that covered a wide range of issues.
Prominent officials— from judges, to university presidents, and even former United States president Grover Cleveland— determined the winners of each round.
The debates were open to the public, free of charge, and drew large crowds on campus.
The New York Times reported that “It is generally as important to win this debate [Yale v. Harvard] as to win the football match in the fall.”

In 1922, Yale helped create an intercollegiate debate league with eight other institutions.
The league grew to a national level when West Point hosted an open tournament in 1947.

The YDA's most recent style of debate began with the creation of the American Parliamentary Debate Association (APDA) in 1982.
The format of parliamentary debate differs from those used by earlier leagues; teams consist of two debaters rather than three, and the order of the speeches is structured differently.
The team continues to compete in APDA today.
Founded in 1908, the Yale Debate Association initially hosted debates with Harvard and Princeton three times a year. Teams of three students each debated topics that covered a wide range of issues. Prominent officials— from judges, to university presidents, and even former United States president Grover Cleveland— determined the winners of each round. The debates were open to the public, free of charge, and drew large crowds on campus. The New York Times reported that “It is generally as important to win this debate [Yale v. Harvard] as to win the football match in the fall.” 
In 1922, Yale helped create an intercollegiate debate league with eight other institutions. The league grew to a national level when West Point hosted an open tournament in 1947.
The YDA's most recent style of debate began with the creation of the American Parliamentary Debate Association (APDA) in 1982. The format of parliamentary debate differs from those used by earlier leagues; teams consist of two debaters rather than three, and the order of the speeches is structured differently. The team continues to compete in APDA today.
Yale Debate Association