Blog

Pittsburg State Student Chapter Emerges as Champions of the MCAA Student Chapter Competition!



The Pittsburg State University MCAA Student Chapter team has emerged as champions in the “Final Four” MCAA Student Chapter Competition held in Phoenix, Arizona, hosted by the Mechanical Contractors Association of America.

The team's impressive $10,000 prize, which will be matched by MCA of Kansas City, bringing the total prize money to $20,000.

The Pittsburg State University MCAA Student Chapter team from Pitt State University's School of Construction has emerged as champions in the “Final Four” MCAA Student Chapter Competition held in Phoenix, Arizona, hosted by the Mechanical Contractors Association of America.

The team's impressive $10,000 prize, which will be matched by MCA of Kansas City, bringing the total prize money to $20,000.

The team, comprised of Graham Hudelson, Zach Hutchings, Michael Marinakis, Hunter Helmer, Aiden Wolownik, and Gianni Piccini, submitted a proposal for construction of the mechancial and plumbing systems at the new district energy facility on the National Western Center Campus in Denvery, CO. The scope of the project included the installation of three 1000-ton cooling towers, six 6000-mbh boilers, a SHARC sewer heat recovery system, plate and frame heat exchangers, pumps, piping, and supporting infrastructure. Proposals were received from 22 other student chapters across the United States.

Their proposed facility, based on an actual facility built in Denver, Colorado, is a significant step towards de-carbonizing commercial buildings and will be the largest sewer heat recovery system in North America. The Pittsburg State team presented their proposal and answered judges' questions in front of 200 people.

As champions of the competition, the team has been invited to visit the National Western Center campus in Denver to see the system in action. The team's academic advisor, Professor Shannon Nicklaus, expressed his pride in their achievement and noted that job offers will be rolling in.

MCAKC, the Mechanical Contractors Association of Kansas City, congratulated the team on their outstanding academic performance and exemplary effort in clinching the top spot. They also thanked Professor Shannon Nicklaus for his unwavering support and guidance throughout the competition. MCAKC recognizes the team's hard work, focus, and dedication to achieving their goal and celebrated their accomplishments.

Contributors