4/15/2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State University's Mock Trial Team competed in the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) National Championship Tournament, where the team received the "Spirit of AMTA" award for being the team with the best character, sportsmanship and civility in competition.
The tournament was held April 4-6 in Des Moines, Iowa, with 64 teams competing. MSU team members earned the opportunity to participate in the championship tournament by qualifying at a regional tournament in Indiana in February.
"We have worked very hard in practice to compete well but also to have sportsmanlike conduct. We are very proud of this award," said Peter Martini, a junior public administration/public policy analysis major from Pinconning, and team treasurer. "It recognizes our achievements, and it also recognizes the quality of students participating in the tournament."
"All of our members worked very hard this year to help us reach the national championship tournament," said Beth Springsteen of Monroe, a political science/pre-law major and team president. "Members worked hard at helping to raise funds and in preparation of the cases we presented."
Team members attending the tournament were Martini and Springsteen; Lindsay Chaffin of Farmington, a freshman political theory and constitutional democracy major; Sara Dabkowski of Grand Rapids, a sophomore political theory and constitutional democracy and sociology major; Chrissy DiClaudio of Grosse Ile, a junior criminal justice major; Erin Freers of Warren, a senior political theory and constitutional democracy and psychology major; Bob Hempel of Trenton, a freshman criminal justice major; Annie Kelley of Battle Creek, a sophomore English major; Justin Kuxhaus of Canton, a sophomore international relations and German major; and Frankie Lozano of Winthrop Harbor, Ill., a food industry management major.
"Students competing in the national tournament are the best of the best," said Susan Ewing, the national executive secretary for AMTA. "This particular award, the 'Spirit of AMTA,' is voted on by the other teams in the tournament, so this award comes from their peers."
Portions of the travel expenses from the trip were funded with donations from the MSU Residence Halls Association (RHA) and other contributions.
The MSU Mock Trial Team is a registered student organization. Its purpose is to compete in national college-level mock trial tournaments. It is a registered and certified competitor in the American Mock Trial Association. David Bailey, professor in the Honors College and History Department, is the team's adviser.
For additional information, visit the AMTA Web site at www.collegemocktrial.org or the MSU Mock Trial Team site at www.msu.edu/~mcktrial