Western States provides ‘invaluable’ experience for Morrison School student

The Morrison School of Management and Agribusiness at Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus hosted the annual Western States 2009 Collegiate Sales Competition (WSCSC) April 18, and one of its very own placed in the competition.

Nick Odom, a senior business administration major, won cash and accolades for his performance, placing first in the ADP company’s portion of the competition beating out 10 other contestants for the coveted prize.

"The Western States Collegiate Sales Competition is an invaluable experience that can benefit you more than you know," said Odom.
Randi Bailey, from California State University-Bakersfield, was named overall champion for this year’s competition. Bailey achieved the highest score recorded over the five years of the competition.

The Morrison School brought together 16 students from Arizona and California to compete in the event. Schools competing this year included Northern Arizona University, ASU-Morrison School, and California State Universities from Fresno, Chico and Bakersfield. In the future other schools from the western states will be added as the program grows and establishes its position as a top regional sales competition for students interested in sales as a career path.

“The sales competition was established in 2005 as a valuable way for students, company recruiters, and faculty to interact in a spirit of competition, collegiality, and professionalism,” said Otis White, director of the competition and lecturer in the school.

“It enables students to experience the excitement of competition, while benefiting from training and teamwork outside the classroom,” White said. “For students interested in a sales career, this competition is a stepping stone to their dream of a top position in a leading sales organization.”

Sponsoring organizations got to see students in action while they presented sales scenarios from two top lead companies — Liberty Mutual and ADP. Student teams were presented with a sales scenario to work from and the lead companies provided training in sales techniques prior to the competition in each of the team’s home regions. Students were judged by representatives of sponsoring companies and were scored on their structure, product knowledge and overall sales approach.

This year’s sponsors also included Enterprise Rent-A-Car, a long time sponsor and supporter of the event.

“Sponsoring organizations benefit by having an opportunity to meet and watch the performance of some of the best and brightest students in the western states,” said White. “Many new hires result for the sponsoring organizations not only soon after the contest but later as students remember the sponsorship and support received and seek positions with these top companies.”

Teams are coached, mentored by school faculty members who say this is the highlight of their year. Tim Heinze, coach for the CSU Chico team, said, “This competition is a great experience for students and helps bring what we teach them in the classroom into a real life sales situation.” 

For more information about the Western States Collegiate Sales Competition contact Otis.White@asu.edu.

Chris Lambrakis, lambrakis@asu.edu
(480) 727-1173
Public Affairs at ASU Polytechnic campus