Nichols student finishes top 5 nationally in sports sales championship
Nichols College sport management students made an impressive showing recently at the National Collegiate Sports Sales Championship (NCSSC) in Atlanta, with standout competitor Jillian Archer ’25 placing fifth nationally in the ticket sales division. The academic competition, held at State Farm Arena, featured students from over 50 colleges and universities, testing their ability to pitch and close sales deals with industry professionals.
To reach the finals, Nichols students first competed in a qualifying virtual round, where they were tasked with making a 20-minute sales pitch over Zoom to a sport industry professional acting as a buyer. Their performances were graded on sales technique, rapport building and ability to overcome objections. Out of 375 students nationwide, five Nichols seniors—Archer, Jack Ellis ’25, Justin Janosz ’25, Ben Kallgren ’25 and Jessica Volpi ’25—secured spots in the top 100, qualifying them for the championship in Atlanta.
At the Atlanta finals, students participated in live, bracket-style sales role-play competitions, pitching to professionals from major and minor league teams. Competing in two categories, ticket sales and corporate partnerships, they used the SPIN selling method, a structured approach to sales, to impress judges. Alongside Archer’s top five finish in Atlanta, Janosz placed 16th nationally in the corporate partnerships division, while Ellis finished 32nd in ticket sales.
Reflecting on her achievement, Archer expressed her gratitude, saying, “Competing in the NCSSC was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Traveling, prepping and competing with my fellow Bison made this event so memorable. I’m thankful for the support from my advisors and mentors, my teammates and everyone who helped me prepare for this moment.”
Beyond competition, the event was also a major career opportunity, with Nichols students competing for and collectively securing over 20 job interviews with professional sports organizations.
Professor Timothy Liptrap, faculty advisor for the students, praised their performance. “I am very proud of what we do at Nichols. Our approach to teaching and learning puts our students in competition with the best colleges and universities in this country. We can hold our own, every time,” said Liptrap.
The competition provided an invaluable experience in sports sales, networking and career development, and the students appreciated showcasing their skills on a national stage. Looking back on her experience, Archer summed it up: “This competition gave me the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. Competing at this level and networking with industry leaders was an unforgettable experience.”
More recent accolades for sports management students
Nichols sports management students and Chi Sigma Mu Honor Society members placed third in a national case study competition, finishing behind the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Sport marketing and content creation majors Alina Michalski ’25 and Spencer Berlepsch ’25, who is also a varsity football player, along with sport management majors Austin Mendes ’25 and Callie Worthington ’25, who plays varsity women’s field hockey, traveled to the 2025 COSMA Conference in Las Vegas to compete in the COSMA Case Study Cup.
Representatives from Foley Entertainment Group served as judges for the competition. During the event, the students were also inducted into the Chi Sigma Mu Honor Society.
COSMA, or the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation, is a specialized accrediting body that promotes and recognizes excellence in sport management education worldwide at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. Nichols College sport management programs are accredited by COSMA as well as AACSB.
(Pictured: Jillian Archer ’25 (center), standing alongside fellow Nichols competitors Justin Janosz ’25, Ben Kallgren ’25, Jessica Volpi ’25 and Jack Ellis ’25, holds up the commemorative jersey she won at the NCSSC in Atlanta.)
About Nichols College
Nichols College has earned business accreditation from the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools and the largest business education network connecting learners, educators, and businesses worldwide. Founded in 1815, Nichols College transforms today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders through a dynamic, career-focused business and professional education. Nichols offers real-world learning focused on professional depth – combined with vibrant living, competitive athletics, and an unmatched alumni advantage – equipping students to exceed their own expectations. To learn more about Nichols College, visit www.nichols.edu.
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