www.mrca.org — Midwest Roofer 21 Industry News The Roofing Alliance Student Competition has become one of the most influential workforce development experiences in the construction and roofing industries. Each year it challenges students from top construction management programs to step into the role of a roofing contractor and compete in a real-world project environment. Teams estimate, schedule, plan logistics, develop safety strategies and deliver a full proposal to industry leaders. It is not just a competition. It is a direct pipeline into high-demand construction career paths, and Midwestern and Texas universities have emerged as some of the strongest competitors in the field. “The student competition is one of our most impactful initiatives,” said Roofing Alliance President Greg Hudson. “Not only does it showcase the incredible talent coming into our industry, it also strengthens connections between students, faculty and roofing professionals nationwide.” For the 2025 to 2026 school year, the featured project is the Cannery Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Commercial Roofers, Inc. has provided access to drawings and project details, offering students a complex low-slope roof replacement with strict operational requirements. The property is known for its award- winning guest experience, meaning roofing work must be completed with minimal disruption and exceptional coordination. This mirrors the real challenges roofing contractors face in commercial hospitality environments. Teams develop a full written proposal including company overview, safety plan, schedule, crew sizing, scope review, logistics plan, quality control plan and detailed estimate. They then present in person as though they are interviewing for the project. Judges evaluate technical accuracy, clarity, teamwork, communication and professionalism. The final presentations for the 2026 competition will take place during the International Roofing Expo on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, from 8 to 11:30 a.m. PST, followed by awards at the NRCA Industry Awards and Reception. Midwestern and Texas schools have consistently demonstrated excellence in the competition, making this year’s event especially exciting for the region. Celebrating Midwestern and Texas Excellence in 2025 First Place: Texas A&M University Texas A&M delivered a commanding performance in the 2025 competition. Represented by team members John Falavolito, Hogan Leftwich, Ryan Kennick, Weston Mounce and Grayson Headley, and supported by faculty advisor Dr. Zhenyu Zhang and industry mentor Kyle Cahill of King of Texas Roofing Company, the team showed the technical strength and leadership that Aggies are known for. Their first-place finish shows that Texas students are among the nation’s most capable future roofing professionals. Bradley University: A Tradition of Excellence Bradley University has long been one of the Midwest’s consistent contributors to the Roofing Alliance Student Competition. Although the 2025 team did not place, their experience reflects the purpose of the competition. Led by team captain Uriel de la Torre with teammates Francesco Fricano, Ethan Sountris, Erik Avila and Matthew Leazer, Bradley students embraced the opportunity to expand their roofing knowledge and problem-solving skills. They also demonstrated the deep commitment Midwestern programs have to building construction leaders. Why Midwestern and Texas Schools Matter in 2026 Midwestern and Texas universities are known for producing Continued on page 22 2025 First Place winner Texas A&M University Midwestern and Texas Construction Management Programs Set the Pace 2026 Roofing Alliance Student Competition
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