Mr. Bellus has been coaching debate since 1984 and the Coordinator of Forensics at the University of Iowa since 1997. He’s coached students to 15 national titles, including the NDT, CEDA, Copeland Award, NDT Top Speaker, and Intercollegiate Debater of the Year. He is the first coach in debate history to coach high school and collegiate national champions. The second program to closeout the Final Round of the Cross Examination Debate Association National Debate Tournament. The only coach to produce champions of the NSDA, CFL, TOC, NDT, and CEDA national debate tournaments. This tradition of excellence in winning is rooted in a tradition of excellence in learning.

A degree from Iowa matters and forms the foundation of Mr. Bellus’ approach to coaching. Iowa Debaters have earned academic honors as Rhodes Scholars, Udall Scholars, Truman Fellows, commencement speakers, president and vice president of student government, published authors, and President’s and Dean’s lists to name a few. Instilling the skills and knowledge necessary to carve out individual identity and empower students to become successful advocates, Iowa Debate has a 100% placement rate. Students have attended prestigious law schools like Harvard, Columbia, NYU, UVA, Vanderbilt, and Iowa. They’ve pursued advanced degrees at many of the nation’s top Ph.D. , MA, and MBA programs becoming influential scholars in their fields and leaders in business.

Mr. Bellus has been awarded for excellence in coaching, teaching, judging, and service from numerous debate societies and the University of Iowa.