Troy University’s Mock Trial Team recently traveled to New Orleans to participate in a regional competition organized by the American Mock Trial Association.

20 Members of Troy University’s Mock Trial Team had the opportunity to participate in a regional competition held by the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) from Friday, February 27 to Sunday, March 1. 

The AMTA serves as the governing body for Intercollegiate Mock Trial Competition. This organization was created to sponsor regional and national-level competitions that conduct trial simulations in competition with other teams and schools in order to develop critical thinking and public speaking skills, as well as to gain the knowledge that is needed to eventually practice legal practices and procedures. This event assisted these students in helping them gain hands-on experience and knowledge of what their future career may look like in action. 

TROY’s students were able to split up into separate teams in order to compete against numerous students from across the south, such as Dillard, Rice, Rhodes College, the University of Alabama and the University of West Florida. Through the many interactions TROY’s students had with students from these schools, they were able to explore skill-building tasks and network with others upon discussion. 

The regional event requires at least 5 wins for a team to be qualified to enter the national competition. Troy Team A reached 4 wins, and Troy Team B received the prestigious Spirit of AMTA award.

“Troy Team B was awarded the sole sportsmanship and professionalism award of the tournament–the Spirit of AMTA,” said Dr. Lisa Harden, TROY lecturer. “The award is voted on by the students’ fellow competitors. This is the second time in Troy Mock Trial’s three-year history that we have received the Spirit of AMTA award at a regional tournament.”