Stetson’s Centurion Sales Program — in its first year of existence — earned the title of 2018 Rookie Sales Program at the 20^th Annual National Collegiate Sales Competition, held in April at Kennesaw State University.

The event afforded students from 73 elite sales programs worldwide an opportunity to exhibit and enhance selling skills in the longest-running university competition for sales role-play.

“This event is seen as the Super Bowl of collegiate sales competitions, so it was a poignant and exciting win for the Centurion Sales Program,” said John Riggs, D.B.A., the program’s executive director, who arrived at Stetson in August 2017. “Being awarded the Rookie Sales Program confirms that the academic rigor and real-world business application of our program is relevant and top-notch.”

The Centurion Sales Program focuses on cutting-edge sales education that is designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and real-world business performance, with the courses teaching students to create value in complex environments and effectively engage in executive settings. Partnerships with local businesses are dedicated to the co-creation of sales knowledge, while an accent is placed on the practical application of sales skills through specialized sales training that uses role-play labs.

At the event, students were coached by James Flyes, assistant professor of practice, and Riggs.

“We spent months preparing for this competition, working on role-play scenarios in the sales labs, and it was a transforming experience for me — so much that I changed my major to sales,” said Legere. “During the event, I also received multiple job offers which in itself is amazing.”

 -Marie Dinklage