In a first for Northwood University, four students competed in the National Collegiate Sports Sales Championship, Jan. 22-23, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia.

“By competing at the National Collegiate Sports Sales Championship, our students were able to showcase their sales skills in front of industry professionals,” stated Northwood Marketing professor and Sales Coach Dr. Andrew Anderson. “This experience increases their ability to sell in a competitive environment while opening doors to career opportunities in the sports world.”

The National Collegiate Sports Sales Championship (NCSSC) featured over 160 students representing 48 universities nationwide. Students had to qualify to compete nationally through a virtual preliminary round in November.

At the national competition, students presented mock sales pitches to industry professionals in multiple categories, including ticket sales, speed selling, and corporate sponsorships. The following summarizes how the four Northwood students performed:

• Jaleigh Beckert (Westerville, Ohio): No. 1 in Viral Challenge
• Christopher Escalante (Auburn Hills, Michigan): No. 2 in Speed Selling
• Julian Lee (Macomb Township, Michigan): No. 7 in Ticket Sales
• Colin Kubik (Richmond, Michigan): No. 16 in Corporate Partnerships

Coordinated by Baylor University and hosted by the Atlanta Hawks, the NCSSC attracts recruiters from major professional sports teams across leagues such as the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLS, offering participants valuable networking and career opportunities. “Northwood University’s inaugural performance at the NCSSC demonstrates our institution’s commitment to excellence in sports management and sales education, and the dedication of our students,” Anderson stated.