[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/mbagames2012.jpg” caption=”The DeGroote School of Business’ MBA Games team swept the competition in Edmonton this year.”]McMaster's DeGroote School of Business is tops in Canada after sweeping the
competition at the 2012 MBA Games in Edmonton, Alberta.

DeGroote claimed first place in all three divisions of the national competition: spirit,
athletics and academics.

The games put students to the test developing marketing and finance strategies,
competing at MBA trivia and playing sports such as volleyball, dodgeball and ultimate
Frisbee.

Co-chairs Renee Lachance and Alex Paton began the planning process one year ago,
after the team finished in seventh place. The pair was able to recruit a team of 40
participants and managed to secure more than $20,000 in sponsorship.

“There was a buzz in Edmonton around DeGroote and how strong we performed
throughout the competition,” said Lachance. “There was nearly a 20-point difference
between us and the second place team. I am so proud of our team's hard work and
dedication, and have never been more proud to be a part of the DeGroote community.”

The MBA Games began at Queen's University in 1988 and were held at Queen's for the
first seven competitions. Every year since 1997 the Games have been hosted by various
schools across the country. Generally the winning school has the honour of hosting the
Games the following year and in 2013 the MBA Games will be held at the DeGroote
School of Business with over 600 people from across Canada slated to attend. DeGroote
last won the Games in 2007.

In 2011, a new component to the Games was the Spirit of the Games award. This award
is given to the team that demonstrates the highest degree of spirit throughout all
competitions as judged by the teams themselves.

And DeGroote certainly had spirit. Both Lachance and Paton believe that the MVP of
Spirit was participant Stephen Charko who at one point in a particularly brutal game of
dodge ball had his glasses shattered, face cut and nose bleeding and yet did not leave
to get stitches until the game was finished.

Placing first in the competition showcases the strength of DeGroote's MBA program
which has increased enrolment since opening its satellite location, the Ron Joyce Centre,
in Burlington, Ontario in September 2010. For Paton, winning after a year of hard work
was a life lesson.

“I am taking away inspiration from this journey,” said Paton. “It has cemented in my
brain that if you really hit the pavement and commit to something 100 per cent and
believe in it wholeheartedly – it will pay off in the end. Winning the 2012 MBA Games
has proven to me that if you work hard, good things will come your way.”