For the second year in a row, a CSU team of construction management students has won first place in a national industry competition.

In addition to taking first place overall at the Associated Builders and Contractors National Construction Management Competition, held Nov. 6-7 in Orlando, Florida, the team placed in three of the four categories. It was tops in both safety and quality control, and got third place in the project management category.

“Due to the size and complexity of this project, we really needed to come together as a team, help each other out, and it would never have been possible without the tight bond we have formed,” said construction management student Nicholas Raymond. “Especially for those members that were returning after a victory last year, it is almost surreal to be able to have Colorado State bring back another national championship.”

‘All we can think about’

“All of us are full-time students, yet we still put over 40 hours a week into this competition,” added fellow team member Kyle Deuschle. “We give up weekends, sleep, social events, etc., because all we can think about is school and this competition.”

The other members of CSU’s winning team were captain Ty Eberhardt, Jack Jambor and Darcy Wojciechowski.

The team received initial plans on Sept. 22 and had until the competition to put their bid together. They had to be prepared to adjust their work based on project changes provided to them. On day one of the competition, all teams were given a change order and had to update their project proposals. Based on those updates, the finalists were chosen. On the second day, the finalist teams presented their projects.

“Our faculty adviser Jon Elliott and our industry rep Mike Menke help our team prepare by recommending CSU faculty and ABC companies/members to assist us on our project,” Deuschle explained. “They also continue to push us to raise the bar each and every day.”

About the competition

The competition provides students with a chance to showcase and test their knowledge of construction management outside of the classroom. A total of 20 teams from colleges and universities around the country competed over the two days, getting judged on their project management, safety, quality control, estimating and presentation skills.

Associated Builders and Contractors is a national trade association representing 21,000 members from more than 19,000 construction and industry-related firms. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 70 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work.

The ABC Student Chapter at CSU celebrated its 35th anniversary this year.

The Department of Construction Management is in CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.

Compiled by Sydney Sachs, events and marketing coordinator for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors