Dillard University’s Mock Trail Team just made history. For the first time in history, the Dillard University Mock Trial Team has advanced to the American Mock Trial Association’s (AMTA) National Championship Tournament (NCT), after competing in AMTA’s Opening Round Championship in Memphis, Tennessee.

According to a press release issued by the university, “Dillard University is the first Louisiana team in the history of collegiate mock trial to earn a bid to the NCT. Out of 718 teams registered this year, Dillard’s mock trial team is one of 42 teams in the country to receive a bid to compete in nationals.”

Dillard’s team had the best record at the Opening Round Championship in Memphis with 7 wins, 1 tie, and 0 losses.

“To be the only Black team in a space is sometimes hard, but we have coaches who do things intentionally so that we can understand our role in this space. It’s a big deal to put small HBCUs like Dillard on the map,” Dillard’s mock trial president, Amaya Ronczyk, said during an interview on the “Conversations on the Oaks” podcast.

Howard University’s mock trail team will also be moving on to represent their region in the National Championship Tournament, and now for the first time in collegiate mock trial history, there will be two HBCU competing in the NCT. 

The team is currently preparing for the 37th Annual AMTA National Championship Tournament that will take place April 8 through 10th in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, at Elizabethtown College. Those interested in supporting the Dillard’s journey to the national championship can CLICK HERE to make a contribution.

According to the press release, the team is also accepting donations of professional attire that can be worn during competitions. The items can be dropped off in the mock trial courtroom located in Dillard University’s Professional Schools Building in room 151.