The Bellarmine Tradition

Hall of Fame Coach Jim Wagoner and Former Coach Ruth Wagoner Founded the Program in 1985

Our Philosophy

The main educational goal of the Bellarmine Mock Trial program is to instill in each student the ability to prepare thoroughly, think critically, present skillfully, argue passionately, and adapt seamlessly in a courtroom setting.  Competitively, all of our energies are focused on April and the National Championship.  Everything we do throughout the year prepares us for that experience.

Even though we are fierce competitors and zealous in our advocacy, we treat opponents fairly and honestly, both inside and outside the courtroom.  We know that those qualities, in addition to the determination, commitment and talent of our students, will set us apart in competition.

Our Results

Bellarmine Mock Trial is one of the oldest and most successful programs in the country.  In the 23 years that Bellarmine has competed, Bellarmine has placed first or second in the nation five times and has finished in the top-10 on several other occasions. 

In 1999, Bellarmine won the National Championship by defeating Rhodes College in Memphis.  At that National Championship Tournament, the team also beat Stanford University, Furman University and the University of Texas.  That same year, another team from Bellarmine finished fifth in the nation, making Bellarmine one of a handful of programs to produce two top-10 finishers in the same year.

Bellarmine has qualified at least one team for the National Championship Tournament in 22 of the past 23 years.  In addition, Bellarmine has almost 40 All Americans, including several who have received multiple All American designations.

Our Coaches

The team is led by Jim Wagoner, a Louisville attorney who has been with the program since its inception.  Dr. Ruth Wagoner, who retired from coaching in 2008, and Jim have served on the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) Board in many capacities, and they have been recognized multiple times for their outstanding contributions to college mock trial.  In 2007, the Wagoners were elected to the AMTA Coaches Hall of Fame. 

The team is also coached by alumni Jason Butler and Matt Rich.  Butler, a member of the 1999 National Championship team, is a graduate of Drake Law School in Des Moines, Iowa, and he currently works as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Louisville, Kentucky.  Rich competed on the team from 1997 to 2000.  He is a graduate of Cornell Law School in Ithaca, New York, where he coached the Cornell Mock Trial Team for three seasons, and he currently works as a private practice attorney in Cincinnati.