March 6, 2009

ATHENS, Ohio - Ohio soccer player Jasmine Merith (Richmond Hill, Ontario) made a name for herself off the field recently, as she claimed first prize at the National Collegiate Sales Competition held on the campus of Kennesaw State University near Atlanta.

The NCSC (National Collegiate Sales Competition) plays host to the top collegiate sales students and faculty from the premier collegiate sales programs in North America. At the competition this year was 55 of the top university sales programs in the country, which included schools such as Michigan State, Purdue, Indiana, Clemson and Texas A&M. From those schools, only two were selected to compete during the three-day competition. Merith, a junior majoring in Marketing and Communications and a sales certificate candidate in Ohio University's Ralph and Luci Schey Sales Centre, came away with the top prize among 110 of the premier sales students at the competition. Her victory also helped Ohio take home first place overall. For Merith, it capped off months of constant practice and preparation.

"This is certainly a great accomplishment for any student," Ohio soccer coach Stacy Strauss said. "But, given Jasmine's dedication and time commitment to both athletics and academics, this is even more impressive. She is an amazing person. The coaching staff and her teammates are all very proud and excited for her."

During the competition rounds held over three days, participants role played what goes into a buyer's decision to purchase a high-end business software program. Each round they were given fewer and fewer minutes to prepare their pitches. Competitors were judged on their enthusiasm, confidence and preparation, among other things.

The Ralph and Luci Schey Sales Centre is an academic program in the Ohio University College of Business that offers students certificates in selling. For more information on the program, please visit www.cob.ohio.edu/tsc.aspx.

Ohio soccer is currently training and taking part in its spring season. The Bobcats will open up their 2009 campaign Aug. 28, at Ohio State.