School of Business Administration

The University of Dayton’s top sales students recently traveled to Kennesaw State University in Georgia for the 2025 National Collegiate Sales Competition (NCSC), held March 7–10. As the longest-running university sales competition in the world, the NCSC is a premier event in collegiate sales education, drawing elite student talent from across the country. Founded in 1999, the competition aims to enhance the professionalism and real-world readiness of future sales leaders. And it works—graduates from participating programs enjoy 30% lower turnover rates and ramp up 50% faster in their careers than their peers.

The University of Dayton's team earned its place in the national spotlight by placing 13th out of 70 university sales programs, a remarkable achievement in such a competitive field. The six sales students who represented UD at the competition earned their spots by placing in the top 10 during the Fall 2024 semester’s 17th Annual Flyer Sales Challenge, an internal competition that featured 39 of UD’s best and brightest sales students.

This year’s team was composed of senior contestants Sean Phelan and Abby Ciprian, along with senior alternates Michael Niceley, Shannon McGinty, and Machaela "Mac" Staggs, and junior alternate Megan Taylor. The team was led by longtime faculty coach Tony Krystofik, Director of the Fiore Talarico Center for Professional Selling, who celebrated his 18th consecutive NCSC appearance and has now coached 72 collegiate sales teams since 2008. Reflecting on the team's experience, Krystofik noted, "All of these outstanding students are the #1 reason that it never gets old coaching our Sales Students at the University of Dayton. They are all going to enjoy uncommon success in their professional selling careers.”

What made this year’s performance even more impressive was the sheer amount of effort the team poured into preparation. Over the course of eight weeks leading up to the NCSC, the team trained together for 12 to 15 hours each week, totaling 96 to 120 hours of group practice. That doesn’t even include the additional 10 hours of individual preparation each team member invested weekly to be ready for those sessions. The dedication was total—and it paid off.

The strength of this year’s team extended far beyond individual accolades—each member played a crucial role in their collective success. Sean Phelan, the 2024 Flyer Sales Challenge champion, led with fierce determination and passion. His drive took him to the top of his Round 1B flight and into the National Quarterfinals, finishing as the 17th overall individual out of 140 student contestants. Just one step away from advancing to the Sweet 16, Sean's performance stood out among the best in the country. Following graduation in May, he will begin his career as a Sales Development Representative with TEKsystems in their Downers Grove, Illinois office. During his time at UD, Sean served as President of the Eta Delta Chapter of Pi Sigma Epsilon and held the role of Head of Finance for the chapter. He also gained valuable sales experience as an MSE Account Management Intern at Gartner and as a Sales Intern at Crown Lift Trucks.

Sean also credits the program—and its coach—for much of his personal and professional development. “Everything that this team was able to accomplish speaks to the hard work and dedication shown by Tony Krystofik over the course of his time here at UD,” said Phelan. “He has worked tirelessly to create a program that can truly transform raw potential into real talent. I will use the skills that I've learned right here at UD for the rest of my career, and I cannot thank Tony and the University of Dayton enough for allowing me to grow both professionally and personally over the past 4 years."

Right alongside him, Abby Ciprian also claimed victory in her Round 1B flight and advanced to the National Quarterfinals. She finished as the 24th overall individual in the competition, bringing boundless energy and enthusiasm to each round. "Abby will join Stryker Sage as a full-time Inside Sales Representative after graduating in May 2025. A dedicated student leader, she served as a Team Leader and Student Sales Associate at the Fiore Talarico Center for Professional Selling. She was also the Marketing and PR Chair for Pi Sigma Epsilon and an active member of the Chi Omega Mu Lambda Chapter.

Reflecting on her experience, Abby shared: “It was truly an honor to compete alongside friends that became family after these past 4 years. Being able to represent the University of Dayton my senior year at NCSC was rewarding and a testament to the power and impact of the sales center and the dedication and passion of faculty like Tony Krystofik, whose commitment to helping his students is unmatched. I will cherish the memories and skills I have learned forever.”

The dedication of this team was evident not just in the countless hours they poured into training, but in the way each member stepped up—and the bright futures they’ve already secured. Every senior had accepted a full-time sales role prior to the competition, and their professionalism showed in every practice and performance.

Michael Niceley, who will be starting his career in outside sales with Johnson & Johnson Ethicon Endosurgery in Cincinnati, played a pivotal role as a senior alternate. His strategic mindset and thoughtful feedback during practice sessions helped sharpen the team’s approach and refine their delivery.

Machaela “Mac” Staggs, set to join Reynolds & Reynolds in Dayton this summer in an outside sales role, brought a no-nonsense edge to team development. Her feedback was always rooted in honesty—focused on what her teammates needed to hear, not just what they wanted to hear—and it made a lasting impact on the team’s growth.

Shannon McGinty, who will begin her sales career with BrightEdge in the Cleveland area, brought unmatched adaptability to the buyer role. Her ability to switch buyer personas with ease challenged the team to think quickly and prepare for any scenario.

Junior Megan Taylor, headed to Stryker Sage in Grand Rapids, Michigan for a summer sales internship, consistently delivered standout buyer performances during team sessions. Her professionalism, timing, and attention to detail helped elevate the pressure in practice to match real competition conditions.

Each alternate wasn’t just supporting from the sidelines—they were driving performance behind the scenes. Their contributions, paired with their post-graduation plans, are proof of how deeply the program prepares students for the real world: high-performing, team-oriented, and ready to lead from day one.

While the national recognition and impressive individual rankings were well earned, the real story lies in the dedication, teamwork, and perseverance of this group of students. They showcased the excellence of UD’s sales program and highlighted the strength of experiential learning fostered at the Fiore Talarico Center for Professional Selling.

Congratulations to the 2025 NCSC team on representing the University of Dayton with pride, professionalism, and the true spirit of a Flyer.