Only two auctioneers, both NAA members, have ever won the ‘Triple Crown’
The phone call came last year.
At the time, Andy White had won one major auctioneering title – the National Auctioneers Association International Auctioneer Championship Men’s Division in 2013 – and was preparing to compete in two others – the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship and World Automobile Auctioneer Championship.
The possibility that he could conquer the remaining two, thus winning what many in the auction industry consider as the Triple Crown, felt simultaneously attainable and daunting to him.
White answered the phone. It was fellow NAA member Jeff Stokes – a man White had never met but whose accomplishments he knew very well. Stokes was the only individual in the history of auctioneering to achieve the Triple Crown.
“[Stokes] had heard that if I won the second crown, I would probably go on to win the Triple Crown,” White said. “And he was calling to wish me luck. For him to hold something that no one else has ever achieved and then wish me luck in achieving it immediately told me the type of guy Jeff Stokes is.
“He’s a phenomenal Auctioneer, a phenomenal ambassador for the industry and a phenomenal person.”
Stokes’ report proved to be true as White, CAI, CAS, went on to win the World Livestock crown in June 2016 before taking the WAAC belt this past spring. In doing so, Andy White had
become just the second Auctioneer to ever conquer the Triple Crown.
“For Andy to win all three in such a short amount of time shows his prowess and commitment to the craft,” said Stokes, who earned his three titles during a 16-year span ending in 2003. “Andy is a very well-loved leader in all three venues.” Reflecting on his elite achievement, White likens his path to stair steps.
“When I started out in the field of auctioneering 16 years ago, I didn’t even know if it could make it in the industry,” said White, co-owner of Real Estate Showcase Auction Company in Ashland, Ohio. “I was a first-generation Auctioneer and really didn’t know when it meant to be an Auctioneer.”
He took his competing goals one at a time. First, he aimed for the Junior Ohio Auctioneers Association Championship. Once he won that, he successfully set out to win the senior state competition. He won IAC next.
“Never in my wildest dreams had I felt like I could compete with the caliber of talent at the IAC, let alone win. And once I did win, at first I thought competing was over for me. But then I realized that there may be more out there for me,” White said.
The variety in bid-calling skills required to achieve the Triple Crown has always been a priority for White. As he puts it, you have to be a chameleon, adjusting chants and strategies while moving from importantsays, alteringcrowdhe his “You White“I said. momentousmet oneis in accordingly. understandinghavea easilyfront aspectassetlot of to of pinpointsjourney.my be to whenyou dearthe ableto the shiftingnext. friendsbe to the audiencerelate successful,”highlightThe gears, standingto mostand theheof in competitions.positiveand said. line try “When waitingmy energy best Each you’remy andto turn time, standinggiveat encouragementI drawoneit back,” shoulderof on these theirhe to everyoneof professionalismshoulder draws with on thein that the bestto industry.”raiseof the the best, level crucial The role NAA,in his he success.says, has played a supporting“You’re you,only andas good everyoneas thein the peopleNAA has really pushed me to be the best that I can be,” White said. He and his wife, Megan, have three sons: Ruger, 6, Danner, 5, and Case, 3, and prior to achieving the Triple Crown, White had a goal: win a ring for each son. “Earning a ring for each of my boys has been the most meaningful to me,” White said. “Hopefully, one of them will decide to go out and earn his own one day.”