Colorado State University – Pueblo honors area educators at annual teacher celebration

Pueblo-  More than 125 Colorado State University-Pueblo students traded stocks risk free from Oct. 1, 2007, through April 15, 2008 as part of the 2007-2008 Stock Market Contest sponsored by the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) student organization and Costa Rica Property Sales (CRPS). Tim Vigil, a junior chemistry major from Pueblo, took home first place honors and $1,000 for having the highest account value on April 15 from an initial $100,000 investment.

Each contestant began the game with a portfolio of stocks worth $100,000, which they could buy or sell based on actual up-to-the-minute market information. Vigil increased his $100,000 initial investment to $203,454 over the six and a half month duration. Runner-up honors went to Thomas Ratzlaff, a freshman business major from Pueblo West, whose portfolio was valued at $158,304, or a 58.3 percent return.

No entry fee was required for CSU-Pueblo students enrolled in both Fall 07 and Spring 08 semesters. The playing field was Investopedia.com, a stock market simulator website where contestants found a tutorial and simulator manual listing rules and allowable trades, trading tips for all levels of expertise, research links, and a database with necessary information on every company traded on the NYSE, Nasdaq, and AMEX.

“Tim’s return on investment of more than 103 percent represents a significant accomplishment by a professional investor’s standard,” said Hasan School of Business (HSB) Professor Emeritus Jay Browne, who now is managing broker for CRPS’s Jaco Beach office. Browne and Michael Wakefield, HSB associate professor and SIFE advisor, made possible this hands-on opportunity for students interested in learning and applying sound principles of investment.


Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.