Beyond The Competition

The official must-listen podcast of SAE University Programs

About the show

As the official must-listen podcast of SAE University Programs, you can expect authentic, engaging (and often amusing) conversations about all things related to SAE's collegiate programming, as well as other industry-driven topics from SAE International. Our guests will include SAE International staff, former competitors, volunteers, organizers, and occasionally industry professionals! Topics range from ruleset discussions to career advice and everything in between. This is the perfect podcast to listen to in the shop.

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Episodes

  • Aero Design West 2025 Know Before You Go

    March 27th, 2025  |  Season 8  |  35 mins 46 secs

    Get ready for SAE Aero Design West 2025 with this special “Know Before You Go” episode of SAE Beyond the Competition! Host Mike Sorg is joined by key event leaders to break down everything you need to know before heading to Van Nuys, California—from what to expect during inspections and flight operations to important competition rules, safety tips, and on-site logistics. Whether you’re a first-time competitor or returning team, this episode offers valuable insights to help you succeed and stay prepared. Plus, hear about networking opportunities with top industry sponsors, tips for exploring Los Angeles, and how to make the most of your Aero Design experience!

  • The Father of Formula SAE

    March 20th, 2025  |  Season 8  |  30 mins 8 secs

    In this episode of Beyond the Competition, host Scott Schultz and producer Mike Sorg sit down with Ron Matthews, Professor Emeritus at the University of Texas at Austin and the founder of Formula SAE. Often called the “Father of Formula SAE,” Matthews shares the fascinating story behind the competition’s creation in 1981, how it evolved from a student-led idea into the world’s largest student engineering design competition, and the challenges faced in its early years. He reflects on how technology, engineering education, and student innovation have shaped the program, expanding it from just four teams in its first year to over 200 teams competing globally today. Matthews also highlights the impact of Formula SAE on real-world engineering careers, offering insights for students looking to get involved. With stories from early competitions, the importance of securing sponsors, and how the event continues to grow, this episode is a must-listen for engineering students, motorsport enthusiasts, and anyone passionate about innovation in education. Tune in to hear how Formula SAE has left a lasting legacy on the automotive world and why Matthews remains proud of its impact decades later.

  • CDS Action News March 2025

    March 3rd, 2025  |  Season 8  |  5 mins 27 secs
    bajasae, cleansnowmobilechallenge, competitionprep, electricvehicles, engineeringcompetitions, engineeringstudents, formulaev, formulasae, fsae, fsaeev, goprofootage, industriallecturers, motorsportengineering, motorsports, onsiteevents, saechapters, saecommunity, saecompetitions, saeinternational, saemembership, stemeducation, studentengineering, studentprojects, techinnovation, universityprograms, vehicledesign

    CDS Action News provides updates and essential information for participants in various SAE competitions, including Formula SAE and Baja SAE, with highlights on event schedules, sponsor activities, and important announcements. It also offers resources and benefits for SAE Collegiate Chapter members and graduating seniors.

  • Empowering Future Engineers: Inside A World in Motion with Emma Akouri

    February 20th, 2025  |  Season 8  |  30 mins 6 secs

    In this episode of SAE Beyond the Competition, we explore A World in Motion (AWIM) with Emma Akouri, Education Program Specialist at SAE International. AWIM is a hands-on STEM education program designed to engage students from pre-K to 12th grade through real-world engineering challenges. Emma shares how educators, industry professionals, and university teams can get involved, including the Learn Twice program, which offers a $2,500 stipend for university teams volunteering in classrooms. Plus, we discuss AWIM’s exciting new electric vehicle (EV) challenges for high school students. Tune in to learn how AWIM is shaping the next generation of engineers! 🚀🎓

  • CDS Action News February 2025

    February 5th, 2025  |  Season 8  |  5 mins 23 secs

    CDS Action News provides updates and essential information for participants in various SAE competitions, including Formula SAE and Baja SAE, with highlights on event schedules, sponsor activities, and important announcements. It also offers resources and benefits for SAE Collegiate Chapter members and graduating seniors.

  • Celebrating Excellence: SAE’s Contributor of the Year Insights

    January 16th, 2025  |  Season 8  |  36 mins 23 secs

    The “SAE Beyond the Competition” podcast explores the experiences, insights, and impact of volunteers and professionals within SAE International’s various programs. The episode highlights the Contributor of the Year event held in Key Largo, Florida, celebrating exceptional volunteers who drive the success of SAE’s programs.

  • CDS Action News January 2025

    January 13th, 2025  |  Season 8  |  4 mins 4 secs

    CDS Action News provides updates and essential information for participants in various SAE competitions, including Formula SAE and Baja SAE, with highlights on event schedules, sponsor activities, and important announcements. It also offers resources and benefits for SAE Collegiate Chapter members and graduating seniors.

  • Program Managers Spill the Secrets of SAE Events!

    December 19th, 2024  |  Season 8  |  41 mins 59 secs
    baja sae, behind the scenes, beyond the competition, clean snowmobile challenge, college engineering teams, creative problem solving, engineering challenges, engineering community, engineering highlights, engineering innovations, engineering podcast, engineering stories, engineering volunteers, formula electric, formula sae, future engineers, future of sae, innovation in engineering, live streaming events, resilient engineering, sae, sae aero design, sae competitions 2024, sae electric vehicles, sae events, sae international, sae podcast, sae teams, stem careers, stem podcast, stem students, student competitions, student projects, technical inspections, university programs

    Step into the exciting world of SAE University Programs with the Beyond the Competition podcast! 🎙️ In this episode, hosts Scott Schultz and Michael Sorg welcome program managers Brett Foley (SAE Aero Design), Kaley Zundel (Formula SAE), and Damon Andring (Baja SAE) for a fun, rowdy, and insightful wrap-up of the 2024 competition season. From standout moments like Formula SAE's big changes to Baja’s groundbreaking tank vehicle, we dive deep into the creativity, resilience, and behind-the-scenes stories of these incredible student teams. 🌍✨

  • Women in Motorsports

    November 21st, 2024  |  Season 8  |  1 hr 17 mins
    automotive industry, bosch engineering, career inspiration, diversity in motorsports, empowering women, engineering jobs, female engineers, formula sae, hendrick motorsports, motorsports careers, motorsports innovation, motorsports leadership, racing industry, stem careers, stem education, technical recruiting, women in engineering, women in motorsports, women in racing, women in stem

    This podcast episode brings together industry leaders to discuss “Women in Motorsports.” Featuring voices like Stacy Puckett from Women in Motorsports North America, Alba Colon from Hendrick Motorsports, and other remarkable professionals, they explore diverse careers within motorsports—from engineering to racing and beyond. Panelists share personal journeys, challenges, and advice for aspiring women, aiming to inspire the next generation of talent. The discussion also highlights the importance of representation, innovation, and opportunities in STEM-related roles, particularly within motorsports.

  • Grove City Baja at SAE International Bring your Kid to Work Day

    October 17th, 2024  |  Season 8  |  15 mins 24 secs
    automotive engineering, baja sae, bring your kid to work day, college racing team, electric car prototype, engineering education, grove city college, hands-on engineering, innovation in motorsports, mechanical engineering, motorsports, podcast, racing technology, red october baja car, sae international, sae university programs, stem activities for kids, stem education, student racing teams, vehicle engineering

    In this episode of Beyond the Competition, Mike Sorg and Scott Schultz, from SAE University Programs, chat with the Grove City College Racing Team during the SAE Bring Your Kid to Work Day. They dive into the team’s experience bringing their Baja SAE cars to the event, where kids had the chance to explore and learn about the vehicles up close. The team discusses their Red October competition car and an innovative electric prototype, as well as the importance of exposing young kids to engineering through hands-on interaction. Join us for a fascinating conversation about education, engineering, and motorsports!

  • Beyond Wheels: The Story of the Baja Tank Car

    September 19th, 2024  |  Season 8  |  29 mins 39 secs
    bajacompetition, bajasae, emoryriddle, engineeringinnovation, offroaddesign, saeinternational, studentengineering, tankcar, trackvehicle, williamsportevent

    Beyond the Competition: Beyond Wheels: The Story of the Baja Tank Car

    In this episode of “Beyond the Competition,” hosts Mike Sorg and Scott Schultz dive into the innovative design choices of the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Baja SAE team at the Williamsport event. Guests Bridget O’Connell, the incoming president, and Noah Evans, the PR team lead, discuss their groundbreaking “Tank Car” that captivated attention with its unique track system and the challenges they faced during tech inspection. Listen in as they share insights on the inspiration, the unexpected hurdles, and the future of this bold design in the Baja SAE competitions.

    BajaSAE #SAEInternational #TankCar #InnovationInEngineering #WilliamsportEvent

  • CDS Action News September 2024

    September 3rd, 2024  |  Season 8  |  3 mins 48 secs
  • Exploring the World of Engineering and Surveying with NCEES

    August 15th, 2024  |  Season 8  |  35 mins 13 secs

    Join hosts Mike Sorg and Scott Schultz as they chat with Darrell Krueger from BNSF Railway about his journey in engineering, the role of NCEES, and insights into the future of engineering and surveying. Don’t miss this inspiring episode of Beyond the Competition!

  • Insights from Tecnológico de Monterrey’s SAE Aero Design Team | SAE Aero Design West 2024

    August 8th, 2024  |  Season 8  |  11 mins 51 secs

    Join Isaac Baeza and Emilio from Tecnológico de Monterrey as they discuss their experiences at SAE Aero Design West 2024, share insights about their team’s preparation, and play a fun “Fight or Flight” game.

  • Introducing Mini Baja

    July 30th, 2024  |  Season 8  |  30 mins 30 secs
    advanced manufacturing, career development., caterpillar, comvac, engineering competition, john deere, mini baja, navistar, networking, podcast, sae university programs, student engagement

    Discover the exciting new Mini Baja program in this episode of Beyond the Competition, the SAE University Programs Podcast. Featuring insights from David Sander, Community Programs Manager at SAE International, and co-host Scott Schultz, this episode covers the unique challenges and opportunities of the Mini Baja competition debuting at the Comvac conference, along with discussions on advanced manufacturing, student engagement, and networking with industry leaders like John Deere and Caterpillar. Tune in to learn how this innovative program is shaping the next generation of engineers.

  • Visiting M Racing Formula SAE: University of Michigan's 2024 Formula SAE Team!

    July 22nd, 2024  |  Season 8  |  16 mins 39 secs

    Join us as we get an exclusive tour of the University of Michigan Formula SAE team’s workshop! In this video, we meet team captain Flynn Baird, along with Choe Acosta and Jack Woods, who give us an in-depth look at their impressive operation.