At the MCAA26 Awards of Excellence Breakfast on March 18th, Indiana State University was awarded the top prize of $10,000, sponsored by DEWALT, and a 1st Place trophy for their outstanding work on the 2025-2026 MCAA Student Chapter Competition.
Indiana State University made their first-ever appearance on stage in the Final Four, having previously inched their way into a ranking with a Merit Award recognition (top ten placement) for the 2024-2025 project.
Indiana State University
Sponsoring Affiliated Association:
MCA of Indiana, Inc.
Faculty Advisor:
Donald “Bo” McNabb
Indiana State Competition Team Members
- Braidyn Hudson
- Preston McDonald
- Ethan Mills
- Zack Pieper
- Gavin Weiss
- Technical Representative – Sebastian Wade
Additional Final Four Teams
California State University, Chico was the runner-up, placing second and received a trophy and check for $5,000.
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and Missouri State University rounded out the final four (listed alphabetically). Both of the Honorable Mention finalists received trophies and $2,500 checks.
Merit Award Recipients
Six teams (out of the 29 submissions) were recognized with Merit Trophies and checks for $1,000. They are, in alphabetical order:
- Binghamton University
- Bradley University
- Illinois State University
- McMaster University
- University of Manitoba
- Utica University
The project involved submitting a proposal for the MCAA Waterpark in Florida. This included the completion of all aquatic plumbing and any other work related to complete the project. The teams were also tasked with purchasing the HVAC equipment, materials, and providing all necessary labor and construction equipment to complete the entire project scope.
Thank you to the following companies for their special contributions to the project:
DEWALT
– Sponsoring all prize money for the Student Chapter Competition.
Helm Group, Inc.
– Supplying the project, documents and drawings
Brian Statdfield
– Introduction, What Really Happened and RFI Support
Procore
– Use of project management software
Trimble
– Use of Trimble Estimation MEP and Trimble AutoBid software
Ferguson
– Providing pricing for pipe valves and fittings
John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF)
– Providing registration funding for 197 students and 32 faculty advisors to attend MCAA26
MCAA Career Development Committee – Judges
- Justin Blackledge, The Waldinger Corporation Omaha
- Anne Finerfrock, W.E. Bowers
- Sarabeth Gandara, U.S. Engineering Construction, LLC
- Scott Hinton, Enerfab
- Michael Russo, Fresh Meadow Mechanical Corporation
- Kurt Voss, Integrated Facility Services
- John Ziemann, Mollenberg-Betz, Inc.
Competition Emcee
A big thank you also goes to the Chair of the MCAA Career Development Committee, Andrew Palcan, Helm Group, Inc. for serving as the emcee for the competition in Phoenix.
Looking Ahead to Next Year
The MCAA Career Development Committee is currently hard at work planning for the 2026-2027 project. The next project will be announced this fall, and a Q&A session is already on the schedule for the GreatFutures Forum in St. Louis, MO (September 24-26, 2026). Registration for GFF26 opens June 22nd and the full conference is complimentary for MCAA contractor members, which also includes the GreatFutures Job Fair on Friday morning.
Previous MCAA Student Chapter Competition Winning Teams
In celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the MCAA Student Chapter Competition, check out the previous winners list and high-five any competition alumni currently working at your company!
- 2025 – McMaster University
- 2024 – California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
- 2023 – Pittsburg State University
- 2022 – McMaster University
- 2021 – Fairleigh Dickinson University
- 2020 – Ball State University/ University of Maryland, College Park / University of Missouri–Columbia, Milwaukee School of Engineering
- 2019 – Milwaukee School of Engineering
- 2018 – Colorado State University
- 2017 – University of Missouri–Columbia
- 2016 – University of Nebraska
- 2015 – McMaster University
- 2014 – Southern Polytechnic State University
- 2013 – Milwaukee School of Engineering
- 2012 – Southern Polytechnic State University
- 2011 – Milwaukee School of Engineering
- 2010 – University of Washington
- 2009 – Northeastern University
- 2008 – University of Washington
- 2007 – California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
- 2006 – University of Nebraska
- 2005 – Oregon State University
- 2004 – Georgia Tech
- 2003 – California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
- 2002 – University of Washington
Most Valuable Presenter
Braidyn Hudson
Indiana State University
The Career Development Committee recognized a student who did the best job presenting their proposal, whether or not their team won. The audience members voted live between schools and ultimately Braidyn Hudson from Indiana State University was awarded a trophy, a $500 gift card, a complimentary seat in MCAA’s Preparatory Institute for Project Management (PIPM), and the title of 2025-2026 Most Valuable Presenter.
Braidyn is majoring in Construction Management at Indiana State University and is also their current MCA Student Chapter President. He will be returning to BMWC Constructors, Inc. (MCAA Member) as an intern this summer.
Indiana State University – Sponsoring Affiliated Association:
MCA of Indiana, Inc.
Faculty Advisor:
Donald “Bo” McNabb
Previous Most Valuable Presenters
- 2025 – Parker Jenkins (Pittsburg State University)
- 2024 – Hans Stelpflug (University of Wisconsin–Stout)
- 2023 – Braden Deck (California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo)
- 2022 – Leisha Fernando (McMaster University)
- 2021 – Carmen Bracho (McMaster University)
Trimble Future Estimator Scholarship
Brooks Scheelk
Pittsburg State University
The Trimble Future Estimator Scholarship was developed to recognize a student not only interested in mechanical contracting, but specifically with an interest in being a mechanical estimator upon graduation. This $5,000 scholarship is available to a student who participated in the first round of the MCAA Student Chapter Competition.
Questions about MCAA Student Chapter Programming? Contact MCAA’s Director of Career Development, Michele Hoffman (mhoffman@mcaa.org).
Be sure to check out JRGF’s website to explore the work the John R. Gentille Foundation is doing to further education and research in the mechanical industry.
