MSU Hosts ‘Landscape Olympics’, Placing fifth among 54 National Schools

Michigan State University hosted the 50th anniversary of the National Collegiate Landscape Competition during the week of March 16, bringing 54 student teams from across the United States and Canada to East Lansing. The event featured strong industry partnerships, educational workshops, a national career fair, and more, in collaboration with the National Association of Landscape Professionals.  

More than 700 students competed throughout the week using shovels, measuring tape, skid steers and other equipment to create hardscape installations, plant displays and irrigation networks along the Harrison-to-Wilson corridor, including Munn Field and the new Student Recreation and Wellness Center. 

“The NCLC is a prime example of industry partnerships creating experiential educational opportunities, and it was an honor to host these passionate teams on our campus,” said university President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “As a top talent activator for Michigan and beyond, MSU is uniquely positioned to foster the next generation of landscape professionals. Through continued opportunities for partnership, we will advance opportunity, excellence, innovation and impact for our graduates and communities.” 

Michigan State placed fifth overall. MSU horticulture faculty member Marcus Duck coached the student team through 30 competitive events, earning a top five finish among competitors including Colorado State University and other institutions. 

“What an amazing week hosting the 50th anniversary of NCLC,” said Duck, a former NCLC participant in 1995 and 1996 and longtime MSU coach since 2003. “I am very proud of our MSU NCLC team for their hard work and dedication to keep us in the top five for the fourth year in a row. I’m also proud of Nate Hawks for earning the first-place Superstar position out of 726 students competing, while also organizing and managing all aspects of the Rea Student Reception. Nice work, Spartans — Go Green!” 

MSU has a longstanding history with the competition, which began in the mid-1970s as a friendly challenge among students and faculty from several collegiate landscape contracting programs, including MSU. That effort grew into what is now a national competition attracting participants from universities across the United States and Canada and is considered one of the premier competitions in the landscaping industry. 

A cornerstone of the event was the irrigation installation on Munn Field, where teams built complex sprinkler systems and tested water flow for accuracy and efficiency. Another highlight was the arboriculture competition in front of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, where students navigated stations in the tree canopy to demonstrate professional arborist skills. 

MSU horticulture students and competitors Alex Garcia and Alison Kingman described the competition as requiring precision and teamwork. “Working with your team during the contest, they become your support group too,” Kingman said. Garcia added, “When you’ve been practicing all year, you become a team where everyone is focused on the same thing and shares the same passion for landscaping — shoutout to the Student Horticulture Association.” 

More information about 2026 NCLC and results are available on the NALP website.