The 2015 Avnet Tech Games winners represented colleges in Arizona and teams competing virtually from across the country. The 10th annual competition paired technology and engineering challenges with student scholarships and faculty honorariums. The challenge-by-challenge roster and final award figures below were reported by EE Times on April 14, 2015; Avnet’s earlier announcement confirms the event’s planned date, venue and challenge format.
What were the 2015 Avnet Tech Games?
Avnet’s 10th annual Tech Games were a college-student technology and engineering competition with onsite events in Tempe, Arizona, and virtual competitions open to college students nationwide. Avnet’s January 20, 2015 announcement said the live event was scheduled for April 11 at The University of Advancing Technology. EE Times later reported that more than 200 students competed, in 70 onsite teams representing 14 Arizona colleges and universities and more than 100 virtual teams.
The onsite events tested networking, computing, programming, digital design, robotics and solar-energy skills. Virtual competitions focused on Android app development, green video and supply-chain decisions. EE Times reported that judges considered whether teams met technical requirements, used innovative approaches and demonstrated professional skills.
Onsite challenge winners
EE Times reported the following winning teams and students. Coaches are listed where the report named one.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →#1 Best Overall
- As Earth begins to die, it is time for humanity to look Beyond the Sun.
- Players take turns to take an action available on the technology board, then produce resources
- Actions allow players to improve their economy, move spaceships, colonize systems, and research new technologies
- For 2-4 Players. 90-120 minute playing time. Ages 14+
| Challenge | College or university | Coach and winning students |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco Network Expert Security Battle | Mesa Community College | Coach Robert Samson; Jason Gates, Dana Gallagher and Nathan Pan |
| HP Fastest Computer Build | Arizona State University | Coach Eli Chmouni; Troy Gerloff, Habib Matar and Jeremy Morgan |
| Desktop Domination | The University of Advancing Technology | Coach Al Kelly; Andrew Denis, Eric Evans and Jason Olivas |
| Digital Design Dilemma | Chandler-Gilbert Community College | Coach Bassam Matar; Chandler Redding, Sean Walker and Kevin Grout |
| Green Data Center Challenge | Scottsdale Community College | Coach Ron Monroig; Cristobal Romero, Alba Lopez and Matthew O’Donnell |
| Java Blitz | Arizona State University | Morgan Nesbit and Zachary Moore; no coach is listed in the report |
| Robot Race Obstacle Course | Mesa Community College | Coach Bruce Carlton; Lloyd Allen and Matthew Otte |
| Solar Scrimmage | Mesa Community College | Coach Bruce Carlton; Brandon Traylor, Daniel Bailey and Nguyen Dao |
Virtual challenge winners
| Challenge | College or university | Coach and winning students |
|---|---|---|
| Android App Showdown | Arizona State University | Coach Eli Chmouni; Joslene Chmouni and Matthew Vehon |
| Green Video Competition | University of Advancing Technology | Coach Justin Gagen; Darien Marion, Ryan Moore and Dominique Laster |
| JDA Supply Chain Challenge | University of California, San Diego; Harvard; MIT | Amilcare Gentili, MD, FACHE; Marco Gentili; Paolo Gentili; and Ryan Scheidt. The report names the institutions and students but does not clearly pair individual students with schools. |
What the challenges involved
The onsite program ranged from Cisco network security and assembling a fast computer to Windows-based tasks, FPGA digital design, data-center planning and Java programming. In the Robot Race Obstacle Course, teams built and programmed a robot to move objects through mazes. Solar Scrimmage asked students to design, build, test and present a solar-powered water-pumping system.
The virtual program extended the competition beyond Arizona: students developed Android apps, entered a green-video contest or worked on supply-chain decisions through the JDA challenge. The mix brought together technical work and applied problem-solving rather than focusing on a single engineering discipline.
Rank #2
- ELECTRONIC BATTLESHIP GAME: The Electronic Battleship Reloaded game features sounds, lights, and spe-cial attacks that bring the battle to life. This edition has an easier set-up than previous versions
- LIGHTS AND SOUNDS: Step behind the control panel and into the action with voice commands, sound ef-fects, and lights! Players enter coordinates and press the fire button, sinking their opponent's fleet to win
- QUICK AND EASY SET-UP: In this fun strategy game for kids, teens, and adults, players can customize the layout or use preset ship layouts that let them dive right into a game
- CLASSIC AND ADVANCED MODE: Players can choose Classic Mode or Advanced Mode, which features spe-cial weapon pegs in addition to the red and green pegs
- GREAT FOR FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Looking for fun indoor games or games for Family Game Night? This strategy board game for kids a great choice for exciting head-to-head gameplay
Scholarships and faculty honorariums
EE Times reported that 31 students received scholarships of $1,000 each and nine faculty advisers received honorariums of $2,700 for leading winning teams. The same 2015 report said Avnet had awarded more than $330,000 in scholarships and honorariums since the competition began in 2006.
Those are final award figures reported after the event. Avnet’s January preview had said it planned to award up to $35,000, a pre-event maximum rather than the final amounts reported by EE Times.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- CATCH THE CHAMELEON: A bluffing board game where players must race to catch the chameleon before It's too late
- ONE SECRET WORD: In this board game for adults and family everyone knows the secret word - except for the player with the chameleon card
- DON'T GET CAUGHT: Use hidden codes, carefully chosen words, and a bit of finger-pointing to track down the guilty player... Before the imposter blends in and escapes!
- EASY TO LEARN, QUICK TO PLAY: Like all good family board games, it takes 2 minutes to learn and only 15 minutes to play. Recommended for 3-8 players and ages 12+
- MULTI-AWARD WINNING: "Best Party Game" At UK games expo. "Seal of excellence" From dice tower games. A perfect board game for adults and teenagers
How Avnet described the 10th year
EE Times attributed this assessment to MaryAnn Miller, then Avnet senior vice president, Chief Human Resources Officer and Corporate Communications: “The 10th year of the Avnet Tech Games has most certainly been our best,”
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Timeless Gameplay: Experience the iconic Othello strategy game loved for generations, where every move can flip the board in your favor.
- Easy to Learn, Hard to Master: Simple rules make it accessible to beginners, while deep strategy keeps even experienced players challenged.
- Head-to-Head Competition: Designed specifically for two players, Othello offers quick, competitive matches that are never the same twice.
- Portable and Practical: Designed with a compact board and convenient slide‑out storage drawers on each player’s side, making setup, cleanup, and on‑the‑go play fast and effortless. Perfect for travel, family game nights, and organized storage.
- Family-Friendly Fun: Ideal for ages 8 and up, Othello encourages critical thinking, planning ahead, and friendly competition at home or on the go.
Rank #4
- 🧲 Magnetic Strategy Board Game with Tension & Skill A fast-paced magnetic board game where players carefully place magnets inside a rope circle while avoiding magnetic attraction. One wrong move can cause a sudden clash and instantly change the game.
- 🎲 Exciting Magnetic Gameplay with Every Turn Each turn brings suspense as players roll the dice and place magnets one by one. If magnets snap together, you must collect them and lose your turn—adding risk, strategy, and excitement to every round.
- 📦 Complete Magnetic Game Set – Ready to Play Includes 20 smooth black magnets, an adjustable rope circle, 2 translucent yellow dice, a bright yellow drawstring storage pouch, and an easy-to-follow instruction card.
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect Board Game for Family, Parties & Groups Designed for family game nights, parties, classrooms, and casual group play. This magnetic board game is easy to learn, quick to set up, and fun for kids, teens, and adults alike.
- 🧠 Easy to Learn, Fun to Master – Ages 9 and Up Simple rules make it accessible for beginners, while strategic placement, patience, and hand-eye coordination keep experienced players coming back for more.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
