From left, Trine University National Collegiate Sports Sales Competition team members
Logan Suchland, Valencia Palermo, Andrew Klimek and Ethan Hill, with Brandon Podgorski,
associate professor in the Ketner School of Business and advisor for the team, at
the State Farm Arena in February. The Trine team placed fourth in speed sales at the
event.
ATLANTA – A team of Trine University business majors placed fourth in a speed sales
competition held as part of the National Collegiate Sports Sales Competition in late
February.
Andrew Klimek, a sport management major from Osceola, Indiana, Ethan Hill, a sport
management major from Guilford, Indiana, Valecia Palermo, a marketing major from Fort
Wayne, Indiana, and Logan Suchland, a sport management major from New Bremen, Ohio,
each gave 60-second elevator pitches to six different professionals and other students
during the Speed Sell Challenge. Each was scored on their performance, and the scores
were averaged for the team score.
The annual National Collegiate Sports Sales Championship, held Feb. 27-28 this year
in Atlanta, is an opportunity for college seniors to showcase sports sales skills
in a competitive format.
In the virtual qualifier in November, Trine’s team placed 13th out of 52 colleges
and universities.
Klimek finished in the top 32 during the overall competition. Brandon Podgorski, associate
professor in the Ketner School of Business and advisor for the team, was also recognized
as one of the top judges from the Corporate Partnerships division.
Trine University’s Franks School of Education (FSOE) has continued its streak of perfect employment, with a record number of graduates in the Class of 2026 securing a teaching job or attending graduate school.
Trine University student Julia Benham participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) this summer, gaining hands-on research experience at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Trine University’s Brooks College of Health Professions will host a special event highlighting careers and education in occupational therapy from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20.