Tuesday, June 9, 2026
“Their hard work, preparation, teamwork and commitment made this achievement possible,” - Simon A. Andrew, chair of Public Administration.

Photo of TCMA bowl winnersStudents from the University of North Texas Master of Public Administration (MPA) program returned from the Texas City Management Association (TCMA) Annual Conference — Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence — with a championship title in hand.

The UNT team captured first place in the 2026 TCMA Intercollegiate Bowl, a statewide competition that showcases the knowledge, skills and leadership potential of students preparing for careers in local government.

The annual competition brings together teams from colleges and universities across Texas to compete in a series of scored events designed to test competencies essential to public service leadership. Teams also participate in a spirited competition that highlights school pride and camaraderie. The winning institution earns the honor of having its name engraved on the prestigious Intercollegiate Bowl Trophy. The event also provides valuable networking opportunities with local government professionals from across the state.

The team included the following:

  • Ricky Watson; Captain
  • Sophia Van Sickel; Co-Captain (recognized with the Outstanding Team Player award by UNT faculty and coaches)
  • David Grierson; Co-Captain
  • DaShaun Brown
  • Danielle Carpio
  • Lane Mantzey
  • Annalisa Stoll
  • Tracy Tang

“Their hard work, preparation, teamwork and commitment made this achievement possible,” said Dr. Simon A. Andrew, chair of Public Administration. “We are proud that they represented the University of North Texas and the UNT MPA program.”

The North Texas MPA ICB team was coached by dedicated UNT MPA alumni Spencer Carruth, Stephen Cottingham, Mark McDaniel, Dan Johnson and Sahebus (Seb) Sultan.

UNT outperformed strong competitors from institutions including Texas A&M University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas Tech University, St. Mary’s University, and the University of Texas at Arlington to claim the championship title.

The victory reflects the strength of UNT’s MPA program and its commitment to preparing future leaders for careers in public service and local government management.