On Tuesday May 6, 2007 Apple Inc., The American Marketing Association, and the CSULB 49er shops collaborated and hosted the iTeam Olympics. The event is a follow up to the Kiss a Mac Win a Mac contest, held on campus last semester. The event coordinators wanted to do something a little bit different for the graduating seniors this time around.
The iTeam Olympics consists of two teams of CSULB students competing in a series of “Olympic events.” From 3-legged races, to a jump rope contest, an iPod toss, and orange necking, the two teams went to battle, testing their athleticism and logic. Each team earned points after every event. In the end, only one team would prevail.
The teams designed Olympic flags to ignite the competition. Each team consisted of four members. The only stipulation being that each team was required to have at least one graduating senior competing.
The victorious team, G.O.M.A.B. had two seniors competing. They won by eight points. The main event, a sumo-wrestling match determined the grand-prize winner. Naomi Rosen, a marketing student from the AMA said, “Although a lot of students were busy studying for finals, the event was a success. The teams had a lot of fun.”
The winning team consisted of seniors Monte’ Fields, and Dante’ Tatum, along with Fabian Davis, John Reamer members of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. The entire team agreed that they had a great time and were appreciative of the AMA for hosting it.
The first place winner Monte’ Fields, took home a 500 dollar Apple gift card redeemable for any Apple product at the bookstore. Fields said, “I’m probably going to get a new Mac desktop computer.” Other prizes included; an Ipod Nano, an Ipod Shuffle, and a 25-dollar iTunes gift card.
G.O.M.A.B worked together to claim their victory. “We had a strategy and implemented it with perfection,” said CSULB senior, Dante’ Tatum.
Spectators that stopped by the booths at the Friendship Walk, located by the bookstore, could play games and claim free prizes including shirts, candy and waters. 24-year old math education major Amanda Stratton said, “I saw the t-shirts and decided to come over. I think this event is a really good idea.”
The iTeam Olympics gives the AMA students a chance to gain hands on marketing experience that they can apply in real life. The AMA and Apple have been planning the event for the past two months in an effort to promote Apple products at the bookstore and spread the word about the American Marketing Association. Apple products are available for reduced prices at the 49er bookstore.
Graduating seniors will no longer qualify for special Apple product discounts. As 49er computer store manager Steve Zimmerle said, “Once they graduate they will be paying retail prices that are 100 to 300 dollars more in retail stores.” This is the senior’s last opportunity to take advantage of all of the great offers and reduced prices before they move on with the next chapter of their lives.
