The Competition
The Steel City Sales Challenge (SCSC) is a two-day, virtual two-round competition with sales role play and elevator pitch
tracks. The SCSC is open to undergraduate students from universities across the country.
Students may compete in either or both of the two tracks. Registration is $225.
The competition is presented by Duquesne University's Center for Leadership in Professional Selling and Ally Financial. Note: Current and former employees/interns of Ally Financial are not eligible to compete.
In 2026, 130 students from 15 universities competed!
11th Annual Steel City Sales Challenge
Tentative dates for 2027 are Thursday, October 21 and Friday, October 22. See you next year!
Congratulations to the 2026 SCSC Winners!
Winners
1st Place ($3,500): Alexandra Martorana, Duquesne University
2nd Place ($2,500): Allison Gideon, Duquesne University
3rd Place ($1,500): Lucy Vargo, Duquesne University
Winners
1st Place ($1,500): Brooklyn Eastly, Duquesne University
2nd Place ($1,000): Brendan Howard, Western Michigan University
3rd Place ($500): Sloan Wozniak, Texas A&M University
Students from the following universities advanced to finalist rounds:
- Ball State University
- Colorado State University
- Duquesne University
- Saint Joseph’s University
- Western Michigan University
Steel City Sales Challenge 2026
Thursday, October 22, 2026
- Round 1A: 10:30 AM to 12 PM
- Round 1B: 1 to 3 PM
Friday, October 23, 2026
- Role Play Final Round: 10 AM to 12 PM
- Elevator Pitch Final Round: 1 to 1:30 PM
Role Play Competition
Details and Rules
- The competition will be held via Zoom.
- Competitors will be sent an email closer to the competition date that includes the scheduled times and designated virtual rooms for role plays.
- Students are competing against other student competitors in their respective virtual role play rooms with the same buyer and the same judges.
Round 1
- Student competitors waiting to compete should arrive in the main virtual room at least 5 minutes before their scheduled time.
- Sales role plays have a 15-minute time limit. (Competitors will be stopped at the 15-minute mark.)
- Student competitors may complete the role play in less than 15 minutes.
- Visual aids may be used and must be based on actual information since the seller organization and buyer organization are existing companies.
- No additional time will be provided for setup.
- Only judges will be permitted to observe live competition during Round 1.
- Only competitors, judges and SCSC staff/support are permitted in virtual rooms during Round 1.
- The highest-scoring student from each virtual role play room will advance to Round 2.
- Round 1 results will be announced via Zoom on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
Round 2
- The final round will include students with the highest scores from their respective virtual role play rooms.
- Round 2 sales role plays have a 15-minute time limit. (Competitors will be stopped at the 15-minute mark.)
- Only competitors, judges and SCSC staff/support are permitted in virtual rooms during Round 2.
- Round 2 results will be announced via Zoom on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Elevator Pitch Competition
Details and Rules
The purpose of the pitch is to persuade Ally Financial to hire the student to be their next sales representative.
- Up to 10 students per School are eligible to compete in the video elevator pitch competition.
- Videos must be no longer than 60 seconds and feature the competitor on screen without using props to be eligible for prizes.
- Videos must be uploaded to our submission portal by the assigned date.
- Role Play competitors may also compete in the Elevator Pitch Competition.
- Finalists will be announced on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
- Finalists will pitch to Ally Financial on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Questions about the Steel City Sales Challenge?
Contact Susan Eppley or Andrea DiBernardo.
Susan Eppley
Andrea DiBernardo
