Morrisville State College to host statewide automotive skills competition

The best and brightest eleventh- and twelfth-grade student automotive technicians from across the state will race against the clock to correctly identify and fix vehicles that have been “bugged” on purpose.



When it is all said and done, one team will drive away the winner of the FORD/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition being held at Morrisville State College on May 15.



The 10 competing teams, from schools across New York state, will face off in the parking lot of the Automotive Technology Building from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Teams earned a spot in the competition by scoring highest on a qualifying exam.



In the hands-on competition, students paired in teams of two will be diagnosing and repairing identical Ford Motor Company vehicles which have been uniformly “bugged” so that each team has identical malfunctions to diagnose and repair. The competition requires repairs to be made with the highest quality workmanship in the shortest total time.



After properly diagnosing and repairing the vehicle, teammates must drive across the finish line where their accuracy and workmanship will be judged by Morrisville State College automotive faculty and staff.

 

The winning two-person team and their instructor will advance to the national finals in Dearborn, Mich. June 10-12 for the chance to compete for additional scholarship dollars and the opportunity to kick-start their automotive careers.



The competition is cosponsored by AAA and Ford Motor Company.



Morrisville State College offers two bachelor degrees, a bachelor of technology degree in automotive technology management and a bachelor of business administration degree in automotive technology, as well as two associate degrees, one in automotive technology and the other in autobody technology.



The college's Automotive Technology Building, set up like a dealership, includes a technologically sophisticated environment with nine state-of-the-art laboratories including chassis, electrical, emissions, engines, Ford ASSET (Automotive Student Service Educational Training), fuel diagnostic, R & R (remove and replace) and transmissions.



There is also a showroom, three classrooms and a chassis dynamometer room where horsepower, torque, emissions, and engine serial data measurements can be taken from a vehicle and transmitted electronically into a classroom. The bays in each laboratory are hard-wired into the college's computer network, and a computerized manual system gives students quick access to automotive-related questions.



The Autobody Technology Building contains the most sophisticated equipment in the autobody industry, capable of tackling something as simple as a door ding to the most advanced repairs.



The Ford ASSET program, sponsored by Ford Motor Company, allows students to earn an associate degree while being involved in a cooperative education experience with a participating Ford, Lincoln or Mercury dealership.



Morrisville State College sets the world in motion for students. Curriculums are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology. Lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs, the college was named to the 2012 President's Higher Community Service Honor Roll. Visit www.morrisville.edu to experience, Morrisville in motion.



MAY 15 COMPETITION SCHEDULE

Competition starts at Auto Tech Building 10 a.m.

Competition ends at Auto Tech Building 11:30 a.m.

Trophies and awards in auto showroom 1 p.m.



2012 CONTEST FINALISTS

Western Suffolk BOCES, Wilson Tech Dix Hills, NY

Tim Gray and Warren Kessler

Christopher Adikes, Instructor



Monroe #1 BOCES, Fairport, NY

Joshua Condello and Nick Otto

Steve Donovan, Instructor



Phillip J. LoGuidice Educational Center, Fredonia, NY

Mitchell Schnell and James Winhaber

Mike LoManto, Instructor



Wildwood Education Center, Hornell, NY

Bryon Knoll and Alex Manroe

John Stilson, Instructor



Otsego Area Occupational Center, Milford, NY

Ricky Brown and Vincent Rinaldo

David Gelfuso, Instructor



Edward J. Milliken Technical Center, Oakdale, NY

Myles Stankiewicz and Vincent Titone

David Macholz, Instructor



Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES, Olean NY

William Lavrey and Terrin Salamone

William Sortore, Instructor



Ulster Career & Technology Center, Port Ewen NY

Joshua Kopycinski and Molly Sue Morningstar

Jamie Lucks, Instructor



OCM BOCES Henry Campus, Syracuse, NY

Joseph Daley and Joseph Lottermoser

Erick Dodge, Instructor



Wayne Technical & Career Center, Williamson, NY

Joe Cavallaro and Reo Hallings

Chet Kuhn, Instructor