News Detail
Noll Educator Named Executive Director of Indiana Schools Speech and Debate Association
Bishop Noll Institute educator and longtime speech and debate coach Kevin Burgun has been named executive director of the Indiana Schools Speech and Debate Association (ISSDA), the statewide organization serving speech and debate programs throughout Indiana.
In the role, Burgun will work with the ISSDA board of directors, coaches, schools and tournament leadership to support the organization’s programs, strengthen communication with member schools and help guide the association as it approaches its 100th anniversary.
Burgun has been involved in speech and debate for many years as a coach, educator and advocate for student activities. At Bishop Noll, he has helped build a program that has produced state competitors, national qualifiers, district champions and Academic All-Americans while giving students opportunities to develop their voices, confidence and leadership skills.
“Speech and debate has an ability to change what students believe they are capable of doing,” Burgun said. “As executive director, I want to make sure ISSDA continues to provide meaningful opportunities for students while also asking an important question: What value are we providing to the schools, coaches and students we serve?”
Burgun said his priorities will include increasing transparency, strengthening organizational systems, expanding recognition of coaches, volunteers and alumni, exploring new funding opportunities and helping ISSDA anticipate the future needs of Indiana students.
“One of the ideas I kept returning to throughout the selection process was that organizations should be proactive, not reactive,” Burgun said. “Our responsibility is not simply to preserve what has always worked. We also have to look ahead and make decisions that will serve students five, 10 and even 20 years from now.”
The appointment comes at a significant moment for ISSDA as the organization prepares to celebrate a century of speech and debate in Indiana. Burgun hopes the milestone will provide an opportunity both to honor the organization’s history and to consider what its next century should look like.
While taking on the statewide leadership position, Burgun will continue his work at Bishop Noll Institute, where he serves as an educator, instructional coach and speech and debate coach.
“Some of the most important lessons I have learned about leadership have come from working directly with students and teachers,” Burgun said. “I’m excited to bring those experiences to ISSDA while continuing the work I love at Bishop Noll.”
The Indiana Schools Speech and Debate Association supports competitive speech and debate programs throughout Indiana and oversees opportunities designed to promote communication, critical thinking, leadership and student achievement.
Bishop Noll Institute, a diverse, Catholic college preparatory school, partners with local faith communities to empower young adults to live their faith in Christ through ministry, scholarship, and leadership.