UF MBA successfully defends Intercollegiate Cup

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – UF MBA at the Hough Graduate School of Business won the 2013 Florida Intercollegiate Business Case Competition on Feb. 21-23 at the University of South Florida.

The victory marked the first time in the program’s history that UF MBA has won the Intercollegiate Cup in consecutive years. It also marked UF MBA’s fourth victory in seven appearances in this competition. UF MBA, which was awarded $10,000 for its victory, prevailed over Florida Atlantic University, Florida State University, Rollins College, the University of Miami and the University of South Florida.

UF MBA’s team of Devon Grimmé, Ken Miller, Spencer Siegel and Kimberly Thelwell were presented a case by the PGA Tour that focused on increasing volunteerism for tournaments and creating better alignment with the Tour’s Birdies for the Brave and The First Tee charitable organizations. Birdies for the Brave is a military outreach initiative supporting military personnel and their families and The First Tee provides educational programs and instills life-enhancing values for underprivileged youths. The teams had 24 hours to develop and present a proposal to a panel of seven business leaders, including three from the PGA Tour. Teams were judged on the quality and depth of the solution presented as well as the effectiveness of their presentation.

“The team’s solution focused on creating a single over-arching brand that would encompass all volunteer activities within the PGA Tour as well as put a greater emphasis on the Tour’s philanthropic impact,” said Jason Rife, Associate Director of MBA Services for the Hough Graduate School of Business, who served as UF MBA’s program representative. “The judges felt the UF team set itself apart by delivering not only a unique solution, but also detailed plan to turn their ideas into actions.  The team was also credited by the executives with demonstrating very strong presentation skills and possessing a polished, business-like presence.”

UF MBA’s Intercollegiate Cup win comes on the heels of an impressive third-place finish at the 4th Annual Biotechnology Conference & Case Competition hosted by Wake Forest University on Feb. 8-9.

UF MBA will next compete in the Southeastern Conference MBA Case Competition on April 11-13 at the University of Missouri.