Kendall Bohling Of Elk Creek is Part of Top Team During Inaugural Business Battle at UNL COB

Kendall Bohling of Elk Creek, a freshman accounting major at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, was part of a winning team in the inaugural Business Battle, a competition built into the College of Business’ Introduction to Business (MNGT 101) course.
The challenge is part of the college’s new undergraduate curriculum, which introduces first-year students to real-world business challenges and industry mentors from the start. “Most business schools wait until junior and senior year before introducing students to industry professionals, but we wanted to do that for our freshmen,” said Laurie Miller, associate dean of undergraduate programs and curriculum. “Day one, we introduced them to corporate partners, real-world business challenges and mentors from our business community.”
Sponsored by MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, the Business Battle tasked student teams with developing a new ticket-sales strategy for MotoAmerica’s Circuit of the Americas race in Texas. MotoAmerica Chief Financial Officer Richard Varner, a University of Nebraska alumnus, said early exposure is critical. “New students need to learn the different facets of business and then figure out where they might fit best,” Varner said. “They need to find out early, not wait until they’re a junior and have to change majors.”
Students worked with upper-class peer coaches and more than 60 volunteer business professionals throughout the semester. Shawntell Kroese, assistant professor of practice in management and course instructor, said the goal is to help students see their options and gain confidence. “The goal is to show them the opportunities available and build their confidence as they figure out which path makes the most sense for them,” Kroese said.
Teams presented their ideas multiple times, refining their strategies before the final competition round. Varner said the winning teams stood out for their creativity and insight. “The winning teams gave us insight on how to reach audiences differently, and their strategies demonstrated the greatest empathy and the most bravery,” he said.
All participants received a MotoAmerica challenge coin, and audience voting determined the top team in each course section. Kroese said introducing the course early will benefit students throughout their college careers. “Taking this course early in their college careers should help students as they take new courses, internships or get involved on campus,” she said.