Michael Robinson, MHS Speech Coach, is pictured with MHS Speech Team Senior members: (left to right) Bailey Derby, Madison Vigil, Michael Robinson, Raegan Settle, Gabriel Crass, and Will Church
Murray, Ky., March 2, 2023----The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to announce Michael Robinson of Murray High School, Murray, KY, as a winner of the Third Diamond Coach Award, recognizing a professional career that combines excellence and longevity in speech and debate education.(This is the highest honor coaches can achieve as a part of the National Speech & Debate Association.)
Diamond coach awards reflect excellence and longevity in the activity. A coach’s first Diamond is earned when they receive 15,000 points and have been coaching in the Association for at least five years since achieving the degree of merit (25 points). Five years must pass between each new diamond award, and 15,000 points must be earned to receive a second diamond. An additional 30,000 points must be earned and five years must pass for each additional diamond. Michael Robinson has been coaching speech and debate for seventeen years – six at Calloway County High School and eleven at Murray High School.
Coaches who have received diamond awards during the current academic year are recognized during the Donus D. Roberts Diamond Assembly at that year’s National Tournament.
Tony Jarvis, MHS principal compliments Robinson’s recognition. “We are proud of the accomplishments of Mr. Robinson with MHS Speech Team, and look forward to watching where he leads our Speech team in the future.”
Since 1925, the National Speech & Debate Association has been recognizing student and coach achievements in speech and debate. Coaches earn points in the national honorary through team participation, student achievement, public service, and leadership work. To earn a Diamond Award, a coach must be a member of the National Speech & Debate Association for at least five years. Coaches earn additional awards with more points earned in the Honor Society. A coach who attains 15,000 points is awarded a first Diamond; they receive a second Diamond for 30,000 points, a third for 45,000 points, and so on. Five years must pass between each Diamond Award. Learn more about the Diamond Award here.
“Our Diamond Award winners provide access to the life changing benefits of speech and debate for thousands of students,” said National Speech & Debate Executive Director J. Scott Wunn. “We are proud to recognize these educators for their service and thank them for their hard work.”
All Diamond Award winners will be recognized at the world’s largest academic competition, the National Speech & Debate Tournament, in Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona in June 2023. More than 10,000 students, coaches, and parents from across the nation attend the National Tournament every year. #murrayschools