Prior to returning to classes for the spring semester, 39 members of the Segal Graduate School of Business embarked on an adventure to Toronto to participate in the annual MBA Games. The competition was hosted by York University, last year’s victor. Despite it being SFU’s first appearance in six years, the team did exceptionally well, finishing fourth out of 20 teams. 
The competition was a mixture of academic, athletic, and spirit events. These events were packed into the weekend at various locations throughout the city. The academic competitions – consisting of a marketing case study, a business plan competition, and a business simulation – took place at York University and at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. Associate Dean Colleen Collins helped the team prepare for the competition by organizing case workshops and chaperoning the trip.
Jeff Norman, a member of the finalist marketing case study team, said, “It was an excellent opportunity to showcase to other schools what we’re made of. Additionally, we had a chance to do some great networking.” The team was given three hours to prepare a presentation for C-level executives of Telus Communications concerning the future of tablets (electronic devices such as iPads), and advanced to the finals before finishing in 4th place.
The business plan competition consisted of a case on organizational change for an online company experiencing corporate divide due to geographical separation – Silicon Valley and Cape Town. The team was a finalist in this competition as well, tying for fourth place. The strong finishes in these two events helped SFU earn 5th place overall in the academic portion of the competition. 
Nonetheless, the SFU team flexed not only its academic brain power but additionally its athletic prowess. The team excelled in athletics over the weekend, instilling fear in the heart of its opponents, particularly in the perilous “hurl and duck” sport of dodgeball. Additionally, the SFU soccer team charged ahead of the pack, channeling their inner Peles and defeating their challengers. Unfortunately for the team both losses suffered in the finals were at the hands of the host school, York University. The athletic team finished 3rd overall – an excellent result for our tie-dye clansmen.
The MBA Games were a wonderful experience for all those who were in attendance. Not only did SFU solidify its position as a formidable force in both the academic and athletic world, but the team did so with class and filled with spirit as the underdogs became the victor on many occasions. “I couldn’t have asked for a better result,” said Kathleen Williams, team captain and organizer extraordinaire. With experience under their belts, it is evident that the Segal Graduate Business School will be a force to be reckoned with in MBA Games to come.
To view more photos of the MBA games, go to our Flickr stream or Facebook album.
You have the brain and athletic prowess that makes you win the game and finishing it to the 3rd.