Invited by the Provost to lead the University of Richmond Debate Team in July 2012, Roger Mancastroppa transformed the program from a Policy debate format to Parliamentary debate, establishing a decade-long competitive presence in the Collegiate Forensics Association (CFA) alongside two years with the Southern and Northern Atlantic Forensic Union (SNAFU). Under his leadership, the team achieved notable success, including winning the Washington Franklin Collegiate Challenge Parliamentary Debate Cup in 2019 and defending it annually through 2023.
Mac's training philosophy emphasizes comprehensive skill development across multiple formats with a focus on developing critical thinking skills. Students received instruction in Parliamentary Debate, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, and a wide range of forensics including extemporaneous speaking, persuasive speaking, prose, poetry, declamation, informative speaking, and various debate categories. This holistic approach cultivated not only critical thinking, but logical reasoning, argument framing, both verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and emotional intelligence.
His commitment to the field extended internationally through hosting the British Debate team from 2016-2019—a partnership between the National Communication Association's Committee for International Discussion and Debate and the English-Speaking Union. Locally, he collaborated with The Richmond Forum to support the Richmond Speech and Debate Initiative, providing venues and judges for community events. The program's impact was evident in 2019 when two University of Richmond debaters were hired to coach local high school debate teams while still in college.
Continuing to coach remains a priority for Mac because of the transformative power of debate education in a rapidly transforming world. Watching students develop confidence, articulate complex ideas, and engage thoughtfully with opposing viewpoints demonstrates the lasting value of this training. He finds particular fulfillment in seeing former students apply these skills beyond the competition floor—in careers, civic engagement, and leadership roles. With a track record of building sustainable programs and developing the next generation of coaches, he remains committed to fostering environments where students learn how to engage in public discourse, with intelligence and emotional regulation, while critically examining the world around them.
Outside of debate, Roger is the Associate Director for the Weinstein Learning Center at the University of Richmond.
