Case Competitions
GSCG participates in sport business case competitions at the regional and national level. This section covers how to prepare, how to structure your argument, and how to perform under pressure.
What a Case Competition Looks Like
Teams receive a real sport business problem — typically 6–24 hours before presentation. You analyze the problem, develop a recommendation, build a presentation, and deliver it to a panel of sport industry judges. Q&A is live and unscripted.
The University of Michigan Sport Business Conference is a notable example of the level GSCG competes at. Previous GSCG teams have received recognition there.
In the First Hour
- Read the case in full before anyone speaks
- Write a problem statement together as a team
- Identify what you know, what you need to know, and what you'll have to assume
- Assign workstreams before diving in
Building Your Argument
- Lead with your recommendation — not background
- 3 supporting arguments max — more dilutes the case
- Every claim needs a source or logical support
- Anticipate the 3 hardest Q&A questions and have answers ready
Presentation Day
- One person owns the opener and the close — these are the most memorable moments
- Transitions between speakers should be clean and rehearsed
- In Q&A: listen to the full question, pause before answering, be honest when you don't know
- Time yourself — going over on time signals poor preparation
- Dress to the level of the judges, not your teammates
Travel Engagements
Some GSCG engagements include client site visits — attending games, touring facilities, meeting front office staff. These are high-visibility moments that represent GSCG to the industry.
Before You Travel
- Confirm logistics with your PM — travel, lodging, meeting schedule
- Review the engagement brief so you know what you're observing and why
- Prepare 3–5 questions for any client meetings — demonstrate you've done the work
- Know who you're meeting and their role in the organization
- Dress professionally — business casual minimum, business formal for presentations
On Site
- Arrive early — being on time is being late
- Put your phone away unless taking notes or photos you've been invited to take
- Take notes actively — you'll debrief these with the team
- Be curious — ask questions when appropriate, listen more than you speak
- Thank everyone by name before you leave
After the Visit
- Send a thank-you email to your primary client contact within 24 hours
- Hold a team debrief within 48 hours — capture everything while it's fresh
- Document key observations in your project notes
- Identify how the visit changes (or confirms) your analysis
Recruiting Process
GSCG recruits at the start of each semester. We look for students who are curious, coachable, and committed to growth — not just students with the best GPA or most experience.
What We Look For
- Curiosity: Do they ask good questions? Are they genuinely interested in sport business?
- Coachability: Do they receive feedback well? Are they honest about what they don't know?
- Commitment: Can they manage the time investment of an eight-week engagement alongside coursework?
- Collaboration: Evidence they've worked well in team settings before
- Character: Will they represent GSCG well to clients?
Recruitment Timeline
- Week 1: Info session + applications open
- Week 2: Applications close
- Week 3: First-round interviews
- Week 4: Final decisions + offers
- Week 5: Onboarding begins
Interview Process
- 30-minute interview with PM or director
- Behavioral questions (tell me about a time…)
- Brief case prompt (15-min prep, 5-min answer)
- Questions from the candidate — we evaluate curiosity here
Onboarding New Members
- Walk through the GSCG Consulting Guide in the first week
- Assign a returning member as a peer mentor
- Complete the profile photo standardizer tool
- Introduce to the current client roster and engagement context
Associate Roles
Beyond project consulting, GSCG members can take on associate roles that support the organization's operations. Each role has distinct responsibilities and a clear growth path.
Marketing Associate
Manages GSCG's external brand presence, social media channels, and campus visibility. Works closely with the Graphic Design Associate to produce content that attracts high-quality recruits and builds GSCG's reputation in the sport industry.
Key Responsibilities
- Social media content calendar
- Recruiting campaign materials
- LinkedIn presence and alumni spotlights
- Engagement announcements and client news
- Event promotion (info sessions, presentations)
- Campus partnership outreach
Graphic Design Associate
Owns the visual quality bar for all GSCG deliverables. Produces slide templates, social assets, and branded materials. Ensures every client-facing document looks professional and consistent with GSCG standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Master slide deck template
- Social media graphic templates
- Deliverable design review before submission
- Brand guidelines enforcement
- Infographic and data visualization support
- GSCG profile photo standardization
Project Quality Associate
Reviews all deliverables before client submission. The last line of defense before work goes out the door. Responsible for ensuring findings are evidence-backed, logic is sound, slides are clear, and the overall quality meets GSCG's standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Pre-submission deliverable review
- Logic and evidence check on recommendations
- Slide quality review (headlines, charts, clarity)
- Maintain quality standards documentation
- Post-engagement quality debrief
- Feedback to project teams on quality gaps
Tech Specialist
Manages GSCG's internal tools, data infrastructure, and technology stack. Supports consulting teams with data analysis, visualization tools, and tech resources. Builds and maintains member-facing tools like this hub.
Key Responsibilities
- GSCG Members Hub maintenance
- Data analysis tool support for engagements
- Technology onboarding for new members
- Build and test new internal tools
- Manage shared file structure and naming
- Teams channels and organization
Human Resources Associate
Supports member onboarding, team culture, and the semester reflection process. Tracks member development across cohorts and serves as a resource for team conflicts or interpersonal challenges. Owns the people side of GSCG.
Key Responsibilities
- New member onboarding and orientation
- Semester reflection process facilitation
- Team culture and morale initiatives
- Conflict resolution support
- Member development tracking across semesters
- Peer mentor program coordination
Client Outreach Associate
Identifies and cultivates new client relationships for future GSCG engagements. Manages initial outreach, scoping calls, and the pipeline of potential clients. Works directly with the faculty director on engagement strategy.
Key Responsibilities
- Client pipeline research and tracking
- Initial outreach emails and follow-up
- Scoping call coordination
- Advisory council relationship support
- Alumni network engagement
- Conference and industry event tracking
Quality Standards
What "GSCG quality" means in practice — the bar every deliverable must clear before it goes to a client.
Slide Checklist
- Every headline is a complete sentence with a conclusion
- One idea per slide — no exceptions
- All data is sourced and cited
- Charts are annotated with the key finding
- Consistent fonts, colors, and margins throughout
- No typos — zero tolerance on client-facing work
Recommendation Checklist
- Every recommendation ties back to the problem statement
- Every claim has supporting evidence
- Recommendations are specific and actionable
- Implementation considerations are addressed
- Potential objections have been anticipated
- A Project Quality Associate has reviewed it
Code of Conduct
GSCG's reputation is built one interaction at a time. These aren't rules — they're the standard we hold ourselves to because we care about what we're building.
With Clients
- Treat every client interaction as a professional engagement, not a class project
- Respond to client communications within 24 hours
- Never share confidential client information outside the team
- Be honest about what you know and what you don't
- Deliver what you committed to, on time
With Each Other
- Give feedback on the work, not the person
- When you disagree, say so — silence is not agreement
- Follow through on what you commit to in team meetings
- If you're struggling, say so early — don't wait for a deadline
- Celebrate each other's wins — publicly and specifically
Representing GSCG
- You represent GSCG at conferences, events, and on social media
- Maintain a professional LinkedIn presence as a GSCG member
- Don't make claims about clients or engagements without authorization
- If something feels off — a conflict of interest, an ethical question — bring it to the director
