JMSB team takes academic gold at Commerce Games

allison martens

The team from the John Molson School of Business (JMSB) were awarded academic gold mention for putting in the top overall academic performance at the 18th annual Commerce Games, held Jan. 6 to 9 in Quebec City.

Kudos for top academic performance go to the highest-scoring team in the 11 academic events: Nine case competitions, debate and stock exchange simulation.

The 75-student team also earned its highest overall points ranking ever, scoring 85.9 out of 100.

The Jeux de Commerce is a bilingual competition that brings undergraduate students together every January to flex their business muscles and enjoy social events.

This year, 11 schools from across the province, as well as the University of Ottawa and Université de Moncton, squared off in the annual competition.

Coach Mark Haber reported that it was a “very competitive battle.” “The bar is getting higher. The schools are continually getting better and we’re very proud of our performance.”

It was the sixth time the JMSB team has won academic gold in the last eight years.

That’s how long Haber has been teaching his business case studies course, which serves as the training ground for participants in the case competition, where students apply their business expertise to a series of business conundrums.

The case competition alone counts for a total of 54 points, more than half of the possible 100 points to be earned. Factor in the debate and stock simulation, and the academic sector accounts for two-thirds of total available points. Sports and other competitions make up the rest.

The JMSB team came in third place overall. The Université de Montréal-affiliated École des hautes études commerciales (HEC) took first with 88.2 points and host team Université Laval was second with 88.

Haber added the JMSB team is looking forward to a golden performance at next year’s event.