COBI ESSPS students continue winning ways, claim 4th place team finish in National Sales Challenge

Greg Fockler and Shane Mytro, professional sales majors in the Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales (ESSPS) within The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation, claimed a fourth place finish in the 7th Annual Russ Berrie Institute (RBI) National Sales Challenge at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey.

The November 13-15 competition had more than 70 students participating from across the country.

“This fourth place finish at the National Sales Challenge is the latest validation of the success of the Schmidt School of Professional Sales as one of the top professional selling programs in the world,” noted Dr. Ellen Pullins, ESSPS Director.  “It is especially evident when combined with the recent achievements by ESSPS students at other major competitions, such students’ tremendous showing earlier in November at the Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE) North Central Regional Conference, which UT hosted, and our second place team finish in October at the National Team Sales Competition.”

At the RBI National Sales Challenge, sales students utilized classroom knowledge and application of selling skills in relevant, realistic business role plays, selling ADP products, and in a speed sell, selling themselves for a job. Business judges awarded individual honors for each event and overall performance, and team awards for performance across competitions. Students were also exposed to sales job opportunities.

UT hosted the PSE North Central Regional Conference, attended by about 150 students. The conference included networking with business professionals, a full day of seminars, and the PSE Pro-Am Sell-a-Thon. At that event, UT students claimed the top six place finishes in the individual competition: Manuel Vazquez claimed first place in the Pro-Am Sell-a-Thon, with Melissa Velasquez in second place, Dominique Jones and Joshua White were tied for third place, and Anthony Maulorico and Matthew Wells taking fourth place. Furthermore, Melanie Munoz won second place in the speaker competition during the conference.

At the National Team Selling Competition held at Indiana University in October, UT’s ESSPS team of John Doncaster, Allie Gligor, Brad Mossing and Matt Wells won second place, finishing ahead of teams from schools such as Indiana University, Michigan State University, University of Cincinnati, Purdue University, University of Missouri, University of Kansas, University of Washington and the University of Florida.

“In addition to congratulating our students on these prestigious honors, I want to thank the ESSPS faculty for their commitment of time and talent in coaching these students,” Pullins said. 

For more information about the Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales, visit utoledo.edu/business/ESSPS.