Published October 18, 2016
MONROE, La. — The University of Louisiana Monroe’s Mock Trial team competed in the
Hustle City Challenge last weekend at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas
where the Gold, Maroon, and White squads all finished with identical 5-3 records,
taking fifth, sixth, and seventh place among the 16 teams at the competition.
Other schools that competed include Baylor University, the University of Mississippi,
Houston Baptist University, the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, the University
of Texas-Arlington, the University of St. Thomas, and Loras College.
Isaiah Chavis (Maroon Squad), a political science major, won best overall attorney.
Also receiving awards were political science majors Dorae Dadgar (White squad) for
Best Closer, Trinity Coates (Gold squad) for Best Plaintiff’s Witness, and Shelby
Joyner (Maroon squad) for Best Character Witness.
Dr. Joshua Stockley, associate professor of political science, said he is very proud
of the students and their success against nationally recognized universities.
“These recognitions this early in the season reflect the tremendous amount of time
they have already dedicated to studying the case materials, familiarizing themselves
with legal procedure, and rehearsing with their teams,” Stockley said.
Chavis said he always knew that he was a part of something special when he joined
the team.
“These guys and girls are probably the hardest working geniuses you'll ever meet,”
Chavis said. “We push each other beyond our standards every practice, so it's no wonder
that we placed highly overall. I think my success is really just a byproduct of being
surrounded by great teammates.”
The teamwork and companionship within the ULM Mock Trial team is evidently showing
results.
“The work ethic of this group is tremendous, as is their talent,” Stockley said. “I
think this group is poised to win many more awards this season.”
ULM’s Mock Trial team is the only team from Louisiana to ever advance from their regional
tournament to the national tournament. ULM’s Mock Trial team has accomplished this
feat for the last two years.
ULM has been invited to compete in the Mid-South Invitational Mock Trial Tournament
hosted by Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on November 10-13,
and the Argo Invitational hosted by West Florida University in Pensacola, Fla. on
January 12-14.
ULM will host the 3rd Annual Warhawk Mock Trial Jamboree in the Spring on campus in
the E. Orum Young Courtroom situated alongside Bayou DeSiard.
About the ULM Mock Trial:
ULM’s Mock Trial Team was founded in 2013 by Fin Noel, with assistance from political
science professors Dr. Joshua Stockley and Dr. John Sutherlin. ULM is affiliated with
the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA), founded in 1985 as the governing body
for intercollegiate mock trial competition. Approximately 600 teams from over 350
universities and colleges will compete in 24 regional tournaments, eight opening round
championship tournaments and a national championship tournament each season.
