Small Program, Big Stage: UMO Mock Trial Heads to Regionals
February 13, 2026
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
MOUNT OLIVE – The University of Mount Olive’s Mock Trial Players Association has reached a defining milestone by becoming an official member of the American Mock Trial Association and earning the opportunity to compete in intercollegiate competition at the regional level.
On February 21-22, UMO students will travel to Williamsburg to compete in the AMTA Regional Tournament against nationally recognized institutions, including the UNC – Chapel Hill, Georgetown University, Catholic University of America, University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University, and the United States Naval Academy.
For Glenn Coffey, chair of UMO’s Justice Studies Program, the moment reflects years of intentional growth rooted in experiential learning and student development.
The origins of mock trial at UMO trace back more than three decades to Coffey’s early career as a prosecuting attorney, when Coffey trained home-schooled students for local courtroom competitions. That experience later shaped Coffey’s approach as a professor, first integrating mock trials into criminal law courses and eventually expanding them into a dedicated, immersive experience for students seeking real courtroom exposure before entering graduate or professional programs.
“A student once told me he wished he had some courtroom experience before heading to law school,” Coffey said. “That conversation sparked the idea to revisit mock trial in a more structured way, and it grew from there.”
Initially offered as a special topics course, mock trial at UMO evolved as student interest increased and faculty support expanded. Early classroom trials soon gave way to public performances, including full criminal trials staged before audiences of faculty, administrators, alumni, and legal professionals. Those performances became known as the Mock Trial Experience, a name that reflects both the educational rigor and theatrical intensity of the program.
As the Justice Studies curriculum shifted toward a stronger emphasis on praxis alongside theory, mock trial became a cornerstone of that philosophy. Students took on increasing responsibility for case preparation, witness development, and trial strategy. Faculty mentors, including Willie Wilcutt, John Ryan, Aaron Carver, Allen Hull, and Glenn Coffey guided the process while challenging students to think critically and perform under pressure. “Mock trial is about more than learning procedure,” Coffey said. “It forces students to think on their feet, adapt to unexpected challenges, and develop the confidence to speak in difficult spaces.”
The program’s steady growth led faculty to consider whether UMO students could compete beyond campus-based experiences. With growing student commitment, increased institutional backing, and a track record of increasingly professional productions addressing complex social issues, the Justice Studies faculty began laying the groundwork for intercollegiate competition. Coffey likens the moment to a David and Goliath scenario, noting that while UMO may be smaller in size compared to its competitors, its students bring preparation, adaptability, and resolve to the courtroom. “Win or lose, it is not about the size of the institution,” Coffey said. “It is about the amount of fight, confidence, and growth students bring with them.”
Pursuing official membership in the American Mock Trial Association became the next logical step. “AMTA competition aligns directly with our Find Your Voice initiative,” Coffey explained. “We want students to move from the back of the classroom into public forums where they can be heard. Competing at this level shows them that it does not matter where they start. What matters is how far they are willing to go.”
Preparation for regional competition now mirrors the intensity of varsity athletics. Students are divided into teams, assigned attorney and witness roles, and engage in round-robin trials on campus. Faculty serve as educator-coaches, offering guidance while allowing students to take ownership of strategy and performance. Only one team will advance to represent UMO in Williamsburg, supported by their peers throughout the process.
At the regional tournament, students will participate in four full trials over two days, presenting a single case written by a national board of attorneys and evaluated by panels of judges. For many, it will be an experience that few practicing attorneys ever encounter. “Once students survive that environment, there is very little that will intimidate them in public speaking or professional settings,” Coffey said.
While wins and losses will be tallied in February, Coffey measures success differently. “It is not about one team on one weekend,” Coffey said. “It is about years of students who found their voices, challenged themselves, and grew into leaders. That is the real measure of this program.”
With intercollegiate competition now underway, the future of the Mock Trial Players Association will be shaped by the next generation of students and faculty leadership. For Coffey, the focus remains firmly on the present. “I am grateful to have witnessed students believe in themselves,” Coffey said. “Mock trial allows us to see education in action, leading students out into their own potential.”
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
