Three construction management student teams from Illinois State competed in the 2016 Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Region III Student Competition in Downers Grove on October 12-15, 2016.

Illinois State’s Commercial Construction team placed first. Team members included team captain Bryce Bartlett, Levi Bauer, Damian Chojnowski, Jacob Perdue, Ryan Gustafson, Marc Kurdas, and faculty coach Euysup Shim.

This year’s project was to prepare a bid proposal for the Chicago Oriental Wholesale Market construction project. Illinois State’s Commercial Construction team competed against schools in Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Ohio.

“The ASC Estimating Competition has been an extremely valuable learning experience both years I have competed,” said Bartlett. “The atmosphere during the event gave me an excellent opportunity to feel how the construction industry works outside of the classroom. For any student looking to gain this outside perspective I highly recommend pursuing participation in any of the ASC competitions.”

“Illinois State University prepares you to be a productive member in the construction industry, competing in this competition as a Redbird prepares you to be a leader in the construction industry,” Bartlett added.

ASC Design/Build Competition Team poses for a pic

ASC Design/Build Competition team

Design/Build Competition

Ashley Baczkowski, Savannah Phillips, Justin Keyt, Faris Khvedzic, and faculty coach Haiyan (Sally) Xie represented Illinois State in the Design/Build Competition.

The Design/Build team was responsible for design, construction, budget oversight, schedule and compliance with building codes for an urban mixed use development which included student housing.

Through a heroic team effort and in spite of being short two team members, the Design/Build team was able to finish its project within the established time frame. Keyt, a first-time team member, said he “plans to participate in the ASC Student Competition next year and felt it was an excellent experience.”

Team poses together

2016 ASC Electrical Competition team

Electrical Competition

The Illinois State Electrical Competition team consisted of team captain John Mueting, John Reed, Alan Avitia, Sam LaScala, Frank Muck and William Rodriquez. Joe Cleary was the faculty coach.

This year’s electrical competition team project was to prepare a proposal for the electrical requirements for a light rail system for the O’Hare International Airport. This project was based on an ongoing Aldridge Electric Project, so the team was able to use the actual job drawings.

There were a lot of intricate details and new equipment. It was a very high pressure, 15-hour time frame to complete the proposal. Except for Avitia, everyone on the team was a first-time competitor.

The team had “good dynamics and got along great,” Mueting said.