Stephen F. Austin State University

The Stephen F. Austin State University Moot Court Team participated in the National Moot Court Competition held recently in Arlington, bringing back to campus two All-Americans awards, three awards for top teams in the nation and the Best New University in Competition award.

It is the first full year in competition for the team since the retirement of longtime coach Dr. Don Gregory. Dr. Hans J. Hacker, assistant professor of political science, is now coaching the team.

More than 70 teams from 32 universities participated in the competition, and the SFA team of Daniel Keesee of Corsicana and Max Croes of Kingwood finished as the highest placed team among all teams in the Southwest region and among the top eight teams in the nation. Croes received fifth place in the top speaker awards, and Keesee received 11th place. Both were designated All-Americans.

"Only 16 competitors receive this distinction among the 142 undergraduates qualifying for national competition," Hacker said. "Dan and Max also received scholarships of $6,000 each to attend Drake University School of Law."

SFA students Jessica Poarch of Needville and Robert Neely of Texas City placed among the top 32 teams in the nation; and LaToya Harridon of Kingston, Jamaica, and Rachel Nichols of Henderson were among the top 16 teams in the nation.

"It bodes well for the future that LaToya and Rachel defeated the reigning Southwest Regional Champion team from the University of Texas - Arlington in preliminary competition," Hacker said.

Moot Court competition is simulated legal argumentation before hypothetical appellate courts and has long been an educational opportunity limited to the law school environment, Hacker said.

"Over the past decade, law schools in the U.S. have begun to recognize the potential for improving student quality through Moot Court competition and often provide facilities and judges for competition," Hacker said. "The legal community has also become involved. At this year's national competition, judges included two former state attorneys general, five sitting state appellate court judges and numerous Dallas and Fort Worth area practicing attorneys.".

For more information about the SFA Moot Court Team, e-mail hhacker@sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-2280.