2008 Woodie Awards
Expanding Mock Trial Team Prepares for Regional Competition
Kelly Bromley: Muleskinner
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Features
The mock trial team is preparing for regionals with a new twist: two teams. This season 12 members have allowed the program to expand to two teams for competitions and practice.
Darren Doherty, senior member since September 2006, said having an additional team to scrimmage against has been beneficial to both teams.
"The team has overcome many struggles," Doherty said. "When I joined last September, there was one returning member, Ethan Gibson, who graduated in December."
Doherty said the team was able to improve enough to go to a national tournament.
Other contributing factors to the teams' success are James Staab, faculty advisor, and Doug Harris, a lawyer from the firm Harris & Harris, L.L.C.
"Doug has been a huge help to our team," said Zach Harvey, second year member and MAJOR. "His knowledge and expertise has been vital in our success."
"Having two individuals with law degrees in constant communication with team members to answer our many questions is paramount to our accomplishments and to our future," Doherty said.
Harris began coaching the team last year. He also teaches Trial Advocacy in the political science department. Doherty said this course has helped sharpen courtroom etiquette, procedure and case preparation.
This support also helps the teams prepare for competitions, including the tournament Jan. 25. The teams traveled to Dubuque, Iowa for a two day tournament. The following Friday, the team headed to the University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) for another weekend competition.
The final two tournaments conclude this year's season, which began in the fall, Staab said.
"It's hard to say a record," Staab said. "We haven't won any tournaments, but the team has been competing very well."
In Dubuque, one team competed, walking away with a 5-3 record. Participants included Captain Adam Summer, co-Captain Zach Harvey, Ernie Geiger, Nathan Davis, Darren Doherty and Josh Wiesman.
Darren Doherty, senior member since September 2006, said having an additional team to scrimmage against has been beneficial to both teams.
"The team has overcome many struggles," Doherty said. "When I joined last September, there was one returning member, Ethan Gibson, who graduated in December."
Doherty said the team was able to improve enough to go to a national tournament.
Other contributing factors to the teams' success are James Staab, faculty advisor, and Doug Harris, a lawyer from the firm Harris & Harris, L.L.C.
"Doug has been a huge help to our team," said Zach Harvey, second year member and MAJOR. "His knowledge and expertise has been vital in our success."
"Having two individuals with law degrees in constant communication with team members to answer our many questions is paramount to our accomplishments and to our future," Doherty said.
Harris began coaching the team last year. He also teaches Trial Advocacy in the political science department. Doherty said this course has helped sharpen courtroom etiquette, procedure and case preparation.
This support also helps the teams prepare for competitions, including the tournament Jan. 25. The teams traveled to Dubuque, Iowa for a two day tournament. The following Friday, the team headed to the University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) for another weekend competition.
The final two tournaments conclude this year's season, which began in the fall, Staab said.
"It's hard to say a record," Staab said. "We haven't won any tournaments, but the team has been competing very well."
In Dubuque, one team competed, walking away with a 5-3 record. Participants included Captain Adam Summer, co-Captain Zach Harvey, Ernie Geiger, Nathan Davis, Darren Doherty and Josh Wiesman.
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Tarrah Ueligger
posted 4/11/08 @ 12:18 PM CST
Ueligger is going to lead the way to Nationals!
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