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The �����Թ� Board of Regents today announced the participation of over 50 judges for the sixth annual Regents’ Cup, a tri-university speech and debate competition celebrating free speech.

This year’s judges, from �����Թ� and across the nation, are from varied backgrounds, including the business community, policy and academic leaders, elected and appointed officials, media and more. Find the full list of 2025 Regents’ Cup judges here.

The Regents’ Cup features student participants from �����Թ� State University, Northern �����Թ� University and the University of �����Թ� competing in either Oxford debate or persuasive storytelling. The competition honors independent free thinking, democratic engagement and respectful civil discourse at �����Թ�’s public universities.

"The Regents’ Cup would not be possible without the dedication and generosity of our esteemed judges, whose service is an essential part of the event’s success," said Regent Doug Goodyear, the Cup’s regent advisor. "Coming from a wide range of backgrounds and professions, these judges bring unique insights and experiences that enrich the competition. Students also have a rare opportunity to engage with this outstanding group of leaders—gaining valuable perspectives, making meaningful connections and experiencing firsthand the impact of thoughtful, diverse discourse." 

This year’s competition – centered around the theme of “The Government and the People: The Social Contract” – will take place on April 12, 2025, at Northern �����Թ� University in Flagstaff, �����Թ�.

Student teams hone their debate skills and craft persuasive stories with expert guidance from coaches at each university. Find the 2025 Regents’ Cup student participants here.

"The �����Թ� Regents' Cup fosters the kind of civil, rigorous debate that is essential for a thriving democracy. At a time when polarization threatens productive discourse, this competition reminds us that ideas should be tested through reason, not silenced through force," said 2025 judge Liam Julian, vice president of programs and public policy, Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy. 

Through the generous support of the 2025 Regents’ Cup sponsors, the board awards scholarships to first, second and third place winners - $15,000, $12,000 and $5,000 respectively. All other team members receive a $500 scholarship. The funds can be used at student’s discretion to support and advance their education. Students are also eligible to receive internship or course credit for their participation. Sponsors include: 

• Helios Education Foundation, Platinum Sponsor
• �����Թ� Public Service, Platinum Sponsor
• Salt River Project, Gold Sponsor
• University of �����Թ�, Center for Philosophy of Freedom, Gold Sponsor
• �����Թ� Community Foundation, Silver Sponsor
• �����Թ� Center for Civic Leadership, Flinn Foundation, Bronze Sponsor
• Tucson Electric Power, Bronze Sponsor

�����Թ�’s public universities continue to be recognized as leaders in free speech and expression. The three state colleges ranked amongst the top 30 in the nation in the . �����Թ� is also the only state in the U.S. where all of its four-year universities have received the green light rating from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (), a nonprofit organization that is committed to defending and sustaining the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and thought.  

To experience the Regents’ Cup, watch highlights of last year’s competition .