Coaches

Program Coaches

Chance Sturup | Head coach

Chance Sturup is a 2L at the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he competes on one of the top-ranked trial teams in the country. After serving as President and Captain for our friends over at Alabama Mock Trial as an undergrad, Chance moved to Columbia and brought his experience and passion for mock trial to the Gamecocks. In his first year coaching, we earned our first B Team bid to ORCS, and first A Team bid to Nationals. Coincidence? We think not...

Bryn Sluder | Witness COACH

Bryn Sluder is a class of '19 Theater and Political Science graduate of the university, and our program's former Vice President. In her senior year, she captained our first Nationals Team in Philadelphia, where we placed 10th. As a 5x Outstanding Witness, Bryn's bread and butter were sympathetic stars and engaging characters!

JONATHAN EDWARDS | SPEECH COACH

Dr. Jonathan J. Edwards is the Director of the Speech, Communication and Rhetoric Program at the University of South Carolina. Since coming to USC in 2010, he has taught courses in public speaking, argumentation, rhetorical theory, and business communication for the Department of English and the South Carolina Honors College. He also lectures on marketing pitches and professional communication, and consults with entrepreneurs on the most effective ways to present their ideas to potential investors.

Mark Brown | Faculty Advisor

Mark Brown is the Associate Director of Pre-Professional Advising and a pre-law adviser at the University of South Carolina. He also teaches undergraduate courses each semester in criminal justice and criminology. Before going into education, Mr. Brown worked as a criminal defense attorney.

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