NDSU Sales Club sweeps top three spots at Denver competition, continues standout season
The NDSU Sales Club is having a season to remember.
At the Sales Madness competition hosted by CU Denver, NDSU students claimed first, second and third place, sweeping the podium in a bracket-style competition that put their sales skills to the test. The finish adds to an impressive run for the team, which has had at least one top-three finisher at every external competition attended since early 2026.
For Sales Club President Nic Renner, the Denver competition was a fitting way to cap his final season competing for NDSU.
“It feels really good to go out with a bang and showcase everything I’ve learned throughout my sales career at NDSU,” Renner said. “Seeing us take the top three spots made it even better because it really was a team effort.”
Putting sales skills to the test
Sales Madness brought together 32 students for a bracket-style competition modeled after the NCAA basketball tournament. Participants advanced through rounds of 32, 16, eight, four and the final two, conducting role-play sales meetings at each stage.
Students were challenged to sell an Angi subscription to a small HVAC company based in Denver. For Renner, one of the biggest challenges was managing his nerves while applying judges' feedback to improve from one round to the next.
That ability to adapt is a key lesson students take away from sales competitions.
“Judges will sometimes throw something unexpected at you, whether that’s shortening the meeting, asking a really difficult question, or taking the conversation in a direction you weren’t prepared for,” Renner said. “It forces you to think on your feet instead of relying on a script.”
“Sales competitions are a great way for students to compete, test their skills, and learn through pushing themselves outside of their comfort zone,” said Eric Gjerdevig, director of the Center for Professional Selling and Sales Technology. “It’s also a great way to network, meet students from other universities, and employers from around the country.”
A season of teamwork and success
The Denver results are part of a larger trend for NDSU's Sales Club. Across five external competitions since early 2026, the team has had at least one student finish in the top three at every event.
That consistency reflects the time students put into practicing, role-playing different scenarios and helping one another improve.
“I’ve seen more preparation and dedication from the Sales Club this year than ever before,” Renner said. “Students are putting a lot of time into practicing, bouncing ideas off each other, and preparing for different scenarios before they ever step into a competition.”
Abby Zimmerman, a Sales Club alumna who returned to coach this year's team, saw that teamwork firsthand in Denver. The day before the competition, she watched students practice together at a restaurant, sharing ideas and helping one another prepare, even though they would soon be competing against each other.
“They were definitely working as a team to make sure they all succeeded together,” Zimmerman said.
Gjerdevig credits students' hard work and the involvement of alumni and industry partners in helping them prepare. The results are also raising the profile of NDSU's sales program.
“I think our program has certainly gained some attention by various programs over the last year,” Gjerdevig said. “We’re making a name for ourselves, but more importantly, our students are making a name and reputation for themselves.”
Building skills beyond the competition
The experience students gain through the Sales Club extends beyond competition results. They practice communication, relationship-building and adaptability, skills that serve them in sales and countless other careers.
“Even if you don’t see sales as your career path, you’re still selling yourself and your ideas every day,” Renner said.
The NDSU Sales Club provided Zimmerman with real-world experiences that she still draws from today. “While the competitions are based on simulated scenarios, the preparation, professionalism, and sales process are very real. It played a pivotal role in building my confidence, developing my professional skills, and helping me discover my passion for meaningful work.”
Students interested in developing those skills can join the NDSU Sales Club at any time, even if they haven't competed before.
The Denver sweep is a highlight of the team's season, but it's also a reflection of what happens behind the scenes: students putting in the work, learning from one another and building the confidence to succeed.