Two University of ĂŢ»¨ĚÇÖ±˛Ą at Lafayette seniors demonstrated their marketing and business skills during the National Sales Challenge hosted by the Russ Berrie Institute at William Patterson University.
Salvadore Crifasi, of New Orleans, and Caeleb Young, of Lafayette, senior marketing majors and members of the Service Chevrolet Cadillac Ragin’ Sales Team, placed second overall at the event. It was held in November in Wayne, New Jersey.
More than 100 students from 31 universities around the country participated in the sales challenge. It consists of a series of team and individual competitions, and workshops. Executives from 16 sponsor companies visit with students and judge contests.
In addition to their team performance, Crifasi and Young racked up several high finishes in individual competition.
In the referral role play event, Young and Crifasi finished first and second, respectively.
In role play competition, Crifasi was second and Young was fourth. In the sales challenge champions contest, Young was fourth and Crifasi was fifth. In speed selling, Young earned a tenth place finish.
“I enjoyed the networking opportunities and being able to perform in front of very successful companies from around the country,” Crifasi said. “I was also able to meet and become friends with other competing students from other schools.”
Young said: “I feel like I’ve left my mark on the College of Business. Contributing to the winning tradition UL has in the academic world is a great honor.”
The B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration’s Ragin’ Sales Team won the annual National Sales Challenge competition in 2014; it placed ninth in 2015.
Alternates on this year’s team were Nicholas Neumeyer, of Thibodaux, La., and Summer Romero, of New Iberia, La. Both are senior marketing majors.
Reece Theriot, sales and marketing instructor, and Dr. Brent Baker, assistant professor of marketing, mentored this year’s team.
“Although I am really proud of what they accomplished, I can’t say I’m surprised. Their high placements, as a team and individuals, is well deserved,” Baker said.
Photo: Members of the Service Chevrolet Cadillac Ragin’ Sales Team, from left to right, are: Reece Theriot (faculty mentor), Salvadore Crifasi, Summer Romero, Nicholas Neumeyer, Caeleb Young and Dr. Brent Baker (faculty mentor).