Sacramento State’s Concrete Solutions team celebrates its victory in the Associated Schools of Construction competition with a “Stingers Up!”Sacramento State’s construction management program – with just 300 students – is once again proving itself a powerhouse on the national stage.
The Concrete Solutions team bested 12 other universities from across the country at the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) student competition held Feb. 8-11 at the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Nev. This was the team’s seventh straight podium appearance.
And, Sac State’s Electrical team beat out nine other schools to finish in second place in the open, or national, competition. Electrical has made it to the podium seven times in the past eight years.
“I am very proud of the culture that has developed within the Department of Construction Management,” says Mikael Anderson, professor and department chair. “There is the pride among our students to perform at their utmost best; the dedication of our faculty, alumni, and industry coaches who volunteer their time year after year to prepare the student teams; and the commitment of our industry that supports this program to reach the highest levels of success.”
Sac State’s CM students also did well in the ASC’s regional contests. The Heavy Civil team finished second among 16 schools; it was the team’s third straight podium appearance and fifth in the past seven years. The Mixed Use team finished second, marking its fifth trip to the podium in eight years.
The Design Build team finished third in Region 7, collecting its 10th trophy in 13 years.
The University’s five team awards are the most won by any of the 45 schools in the competition.
In addition, three Sacramento State students won individual honors. Greg Zotalis (Concrete Solutions) was named “best modeler for virtual design and construction” by the contest’s sponsor, Sundt Construction. And Dave Fuerte (Concrete Solutions) and James Bresnahan (Mechanical) were winners in the tough alternates’ competition.
Each of Sac State’s teams is coached by a member of the CM faculty partnered with local building-industry volunteers. Most of the industry coaches earned CM degrees at Sacramento State.
“Due to continuity among the coaching staff, we have put together a study program that is second to none,” says Tony Tipton, a Sac State adjunct faculty member who coached the Concrete Solutions team with Mike Seegert (Modern Building Inc.), Brad Dent (Cemco Construction), and Bill Naramore (Swinerton Builders/Concrete Services).
“We donate considerable personal time, and money, to make the experience as fun as possible.” Tipton says. “The atmosphere allows students to form real, lasting bonds with one another so that they give their best not just for themselves but for the team. The expectations are high, and we demand a Herculean amount of effort and commitment to make this team.”
Sac State’s CM is one of the oldest such programs in California. When it celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2012, the University elevated it to a full-fledged academic department within the College of Engineering and Computer Science. – Dixie Reid