Clemson University students take third place at the 2025 Roofing Alliance Student Competition

By Heidi J. Ellsworth. 

Skills, confidence and lifelong industry connections define a successful competition. 

Clemson University made a strong impression at the 2025 Roofing Alliance Construction Management Student Competition with a third-place win. Bringing passion, teamwork and determination to one of the industry's most important student events, they were able to bring a wealth of knowledge and practice to the event. 

Represented by Alyssa Owens, Tyler Brothers, Sam Davis and Drake Hamlin, the team shared insights about their preparation, experience and growth throughout the competition. They also shared the importance of these types of events for university students. 

Now in its eleventh year, the Roofing Alliance’s Annual Construction Management Student Competition continues to build momentum and inspire future industry professionals. Held in conjunction with the International Roofing Expo (IRE), the 2025 competition took place in San Antonio, Texas, and introduced students to roofing as a dynamic and rewarding career path. It also provided valuable networking opportunities with peers, faculty and Roofing Alliance members.  

This year’s competition project, provided by Beldon Roofing Company of San Antonio, challenged teams to develop a comprehensive bid proposal for the reroofing of the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Airport Hotel. Working closely with contractor mentors, students prepared detailed bid packages that demonstrated project management, estimating and safety skills. Finalists were invited to the IRE to present their proposals live to a panel of industry judges. They also attended the Roofing Alliance’s Welcome Reception, toured the project site and participated in NRCA’s Industry Awards Ceremony where winning teams were recognized on stage. 

The Clemson team shared that their journey to the competition began when their professor, Dr. Dhaval Gajjar, handpicked them for their complementary strengths. Alyssa, the team captain, explained that Dr. Gajjar sought to combine individual talents to create a strong, cohesive team. Each student brought something unique, contributing to a well-rounded approach to the challenging project. 

Preparing for the competition demanded long hours, sacrifice and collaboration. With only four members and five critical sections to cover in the proposal, the team had to work together to ensure no area was left behind. Tyler highlighted the intense workload, saying they had to push themselves to cover every aspect with excellence. 

For Sam, the most difficult part was learning an entirely new trade. Roofing is an elective at Clemson but not a core requirement, making the competition a crash course in roofing systems, technical knowledge and industry best practices. Sam noted that mastering a new trade under high expectations was a serious challenge but also a rewarding accomplishment. 

Despite the hard work, the students spoke enthusiastically about the value of the experience. Drake shared that meeting and talking with roofing professionals and business owners was a highlight, giving him valuable advice and real-world perspectives. Sam appreciated the chance to collaborate with a strong team, learning not just from the project but also from his teammates, their professor and industry mentors. 

Tyler emphasized the importance of networking, noting that making career connections at this stage in their education could open doors for future opportunities. Alyssa added that, although the stress was real, the sense of pride and accomplishment after presenting made every moment worth it. 

When asked what advice they would give to roofing companies hoping to hire students like them, Alyssa was clear, culture matters most. She emphasized that students are looking for companies that treat their employees well, create welcoming environments and promote supportive and engaging workplaces. 

The Clemson team’s story reflects the heart of the Roofing Alliance Student Competition — building knowledge, forging relationships and inspiring a new generation to see roofing not just as a job but as a career with endless opportunities. Winning third place in the competition was the highlight of a great journey. These students had already won by gaining skills, confidence and lifelong industry connections. 

For more information about the Roofing Alliance and the Construction Management Student Competition, visit www.roofingalliance.net. 

View all the Roofing Alliance Student Competition videos here.