A number of prizes are offered each year for debating and public speaking, some of which are awarded officially by the University, while others are controlled by the University Debating Club.

The two Coolidge debating prizes, of $100 each, were founded in 1899 by Mr. T. Jefferson Coolidge '50. A fund of $5000 was received, and from the income of this fund the prizes are annually awarded to the best speakers at each of the two series of trial debates for the representatives in the Harvard-Yale and Harvard-Princeton debates.

In 1899 Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded a prize for debating in the form of the Pasteur Medal, which is awarded to the successful contestant in an annual debate on a subject drawn from contemporary French politics. The administration of this prize is in the hands of the French department.

Mr. R. C. Surbridge '89 has established the Surbridge cups for members of the class-teams winning the inter-class and outside debates. Mr. Surbridge has also established a fund, from the income of which the John D. Long medals are given to the members of successful intercollegiate debating teams.