Event Videos
ASC “Reno” Student Competition
Associated Schools of Construction Student Competition
Since 1997, the Construction Management department at Northern Arizona University has sent teams to the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Annual Construction Management Competition in Sparks, Nevada. At the competition, you’ll get career experience and meet a wide variety of potential employers.
These teams are comprised of six core team members, alternates, and a coach. The competition begins with an intense session of problem solving based on complex project plans and contract documents. The competing teams have no previous knowledge of the documents. They are sequestered in a hotel room arranged to serve as an office space.
For 20 hours, after receiving the problem, teams work non-stop to create answers and solutions to the competition problem statements. No outside assistance is permitted.
The following day, the teams present an oral defense of their solutions. Panels of experts judge team member presentation skills and the accuracy or feasibility of the team solutions. Awards are given to the top three teams. The top team in each division goes on to a national competition.
Learn more from this video about the competition and it’s processes. More details are available at the ASC website.
Additional details
Competition categories Accordion Closed
Northern Arizona University may field one team in each of the Region 6 categories and unlimited number of teams in the National Categories listed below. Note that some categories may not be available depending on sponsorships.
Region Six Accordion Closed
Region Six categories are: (links are to NAU presentations from previous years)
- Heavy Civil
- Commercial
- Mixed-Use
- Design Build
National categories Accordion Closed
National categories are:
- Graduate
- Mechanical
- Virtual Design and Construction (VDC)
- Marine construction
- Sustainable Construction
- Preconstruction Services
- Determining Project Risk
- Electrical
- Concrete
Eligibility Accordion Closed
If you are enrolled in the Construction Management program or another Northern Arizona University program, you are eligible to compete. All participants must:
- have the ability and desire to commit to a minimum of four hours per week preparing for the competition during fall and spring semesters through mid-February
- have the ability and desire to devote time over the summer for preparation
- attend a mandatory organizational meeting at the end of April
- be a full-time student in the Fall and following Spring Semesters (12 to 18 credit hours)
- enroll in CM205 or CM405 course for the fall semester
- Class meets Tues 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm and 8am-Noon on four Saturdays (one each in Sep., Oct., Nov. and Dec.)
- First time participants must enroll in CM205
- Returning students enroll in CM405
- Refer to recent updates of the CM205/405 Elective Policy
- Permission numbers will be provided upon receipt of SOQ
- have membership in a CMO student organization
Preference will be given to students who
- have and maintains a minimum 2.5 GPA
- are willing to make a two year commitment to the competition team (CM205 and CM405)
- will act as an apprentice in the first year and a mentor and team leader in the second