Team History

The James Logan High School Speech and Debate (“Forensics”) team was founded by Tommie Lindsey Jr. in 1989. Since then, Dr. Lindsey has become one of the top coaches in the nation. The James Logan High School Forensics program has been recognized by Oprah, Jim Lehrer, and CBS 5 News for its excellence.

Despite the overwhelming success of affluent schools private and prominent public schools’ success in the activity, James Logan has put the diverse community of Union City on the national map for forensics competition excellence. James Logan has consecutively won the School of Excellence Award for 23 consecutive years, and the School of Outstanding Distinction in 2021, since its inception into the National Forensics League (now the National Speech and Debate Association).

In addition to participating in national competition, the James Logan team attends league-level tournaments and the California High School Speech Association State Championship Tournament. Also, the team hosts a tournament every year during the M.L.K. Jr. holiday.

While Dr. Lindsey coached the JLHS Forensics team for 30 years, his true talent is in education. As a teacher since the 1970s, he has taught at various institutions, with the goal of aiding those who are underrepresented. Mr. Lindsey has built his program around a mantra for his students to be a “voice for the voiceless” and “to have service above self.”

At the end of the 2016-2017 school year, Dr.Lindsey stepped down from his podium and entered into retirement. He left the the whole nation awestruck by his decision, but in his mind, it was a decision that needed to be made. Mr.Lindsey entrusted his renowned program to his former students who are now teachers and Co-Directors of the James Logan Forensics program to Jesse Garrett and Justin Kurup.