Faculty of Business - John Molson MBA International Case ...

The Team Spirit and Coach Awards
The Richard Outcault Team Spirit Award
Richard Outcault was a member of Northeastern University’s team for the 1998 John Molson MBA International Case
Competition. Three days before the competition, his father suddenly died. Yet, as per his father’s wish, Richard rushed back from
California to join his team on their trip to Montreal. This trip itself turned into a 24-hour adventure because of the worst snow
storm of the century to hit Montreal. In the end, the Northeastern team took first prize. However, Richard missed the award
ceremony to attend his father’s funeral. Those who knew what Richard had been through were in awe of his physical and mental
stamina, not to mention his humour, creativity, and positive outlook. He, in turn, truly cherished the “MBA-ICC experience”.
Two years later, a few days after attending a practice session for the Northeastern’s 2000 team, Richard himself succumbed to a
rare infection. The Richard Outcault Team Spirit Award was instituted by Northeastern University and the organizers of the John
Molson MBA-ICC to honour Richard’s spirit, which reflects all the great things the competition has to offer.
“Richard Outcault, a member of Northeastern’s championship team of 1998, regarded the competition as one of the highlights
of his life. Winning the competition within days of his father’s death was a bitter-sweet experience for him and all of us. He
thoroughly enjoyed the bare-knuckles contest in front of the judges, followed by friendly give-and-take with other teams during
the breaks. We were all shocked when Richard himself succumbed to a rare infection in 2000. Today, we remember him, and
everything he adored about this competition, through the Richard Outcault Team Spirit Award.”
- Ravi Ramamurti, Coach, Northeastern University MBA teams (1998-2002).
2011 Winners: Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
The Dr. J.Pierre Brunet Coach Award
Several years ago the Case Competition created the Dr. J. Pierre Brunet Coach Award to recognize the important contribution
that the coaches make to the competition.
We value highly the contributions of the many coaches who prepare their teams ahead of time, and guide them through the
rigors of the competition. Good coaches teach participants a system to efficiently tackle complex business problems, and present
their recommendations in powerful and focused presentations.
Participants change year after year, but many coaches return, and so they provide continuity to the competition and to the
business schools they represent. They are also champions of the competition in their schools, raising the level of awareness and
the enthusiasm of their students for the challenges that lie ahead.
We gain valuable insights into the smooth functioning of the competition from coaches who take part in the coaches’ briefings
that take place at the beginning and end of the busy competition week. We benefit equally from experienced coaches and from
new coaches who bring fresh ideas to the table each year.
The Dr. J. Pierre Brunet Coach Award was also created as a vehicle for ongoing recognition and thanks to Dr. Brunet for his
unsurpassed contributions to the success of the Competition as faculty member, mentor, board member and chair and for the
countless other things he has brought to the competition through his dedication, skill, wit, empathy and clear-mindedness.
The award is presented annually to a team coach who participates in the current year’s competition. The criteria and selection
process evolve with time. Our view is that the best candidate in a given year should by his or her example in some measure
define the criteria as well.
As in the past, all the coaches will be canvassed and asked by secret ballot to express their choices. In cases where there isn’t a
clear favorite, the wisdom of the board will prevail.
2011 Winner: Klaus Schüler, Universität Paderborn
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