Bengals Win Big

Idaho State University Receives International Title at Business Simulation Competition

The Idaho State University International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition (ICBSC) team swept the field at this year’s competition, bringing home three trophies, including Best Overall Performance, Best Presentation, and Runner Up for Best Documents.

This brings Idaho State University’s ICBSC trophy count to 19 trophies in nine years of competing.

“The team was incredibly smart and worked well together,” said ICBSC Advisor and Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU) Endowed Professor of Management Dr. Alex Bolinger. “The results of this and previous years show our students can consistently compete with anyone in the country and around the world.”

ICBSC is a rigorous competition challenging top-level students from around the world to complete 12 quarters (three years) of simulated business decisions expedited over the course of a semester, in addition to submitting a formal business plan and annual report. Students then travel to Anaheim, California for an intense 72-hour competition against their peers, followed by a formal presentation to executive level judges from companies throughout the western United States.

“Competing in ICBSC has been a top highlight of my university experience, and I am very grateful to have been able to participate and represent Idaho State University and the College of Business,” said Master of Accountancy (MAcc) student Lexie Thurgood, who was the Chief Operations Officer on the team. “This competition really is as close as a student can get to understanding what running business entails without any real-life risk attached. It was exciting to use the strategies and theories we had discussed within our courses in a business simulation of this scale and see them pan out in such a positive way.”

“The team and I would like to thank the College of Business faculty and staff that offered advice and continued encouragement throughout this process,” said Bolinger. “We would also like to extend a special thanks to Brenda Worrell and the entire executive team at ICCU for their commitment to this program. Without their generous support, this incredible learning opportunity for our students would not be possible.”

A History of Success

ISU ICBSC teams have taken at least one trophy home since ISU began competing in the competition in 2016. These results show Bengals can consistently compete with anyone in the country and around the world.

What’s Next?

Rob Barnes, MAcc, Chief Financial Officer

After completing his program this summer, Barnes will be taking his CPA and CMA exams while working for Five Star Property Management in Pocatello. In 2025 he’ll be starting his career with Moss Adams LLP in Eugene, Oregon, as Tax Staff.

“ICBSC was the most intense, but most rewarding thing I have done in college. I will be working in a lot of teams moving forward in my career with accounting. ICBSC has helped me to understand how to work with others, which will be beneficial for my career.”

Isabel Juarez, MAcc, Chief Analytics Officer

After completing her program this summer, Juarez will be relocating to Seattle, Washington to begin a new journey with Deloitte, joining their audit practice.

“ICBSC is something I will carry with me into my career. It taught me effective decision-making, communication, and teamwork skills. It [also] taught me how to look at the big picture while enjoying the journey.”

Josh Luker, MBA, Chief Executive Officer

Luker will be attending the University of Massachusetts to pursue a PhD in Management. He plans to become a professor.

“ICBSC gave me great insight into different ways to teach students. In my future career as a professor, I would love to do something as impactful as ICBSC for my students.”

Lara Maccabee, MAcc, Chief Marketing Officer

Maccabee will be continuing to pursue her Master of Accountancy.

“I believe that from participating in ICBSC, I have developed not only a good understanding of the interconnecting aspects of the different departments within a business, but I have enhanced my presentation and overall leadership skills that will prepare me as I continue my education.”

Lexie Thurgood, MAcc, Chief Operations Officer

After completing her program this summer, Thurgood will be joining Ernst and Young (EY) in their Salt Lake City, Utah office as an assurance staff member.

“ICBSC taught me the value of having a strong team and being in a position where you are surrounded by intelligent and kind people who want to succeed. Moving forward, I hope to place myself in similar team dynamics and emulate the experience I had with this team.