ETSU Pace Car

The Department of Kinesiology, Leisure and Sport Sciences, in partnership with Bristol Motor Speedway, has designed a 'graduate track' within the Sport Management concentration to prepare students to enter the field of Motorsports. Four motorsport-specific courses are offered: 1) Motorsport Operations, 2) Applied Motorsport Marketing, 3) Public Relations and Mass Media in Motorsport, and 4) Financial Management and Sponsorship in Motorsport. Also, guest speakers are invited from Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway, and field experience options exist at BMS and other motorsport locations. This creates a unique graduate program that will allow students to FAST TRACK their career in a sport that has exploded in popularity.

The Motorsport Operations track prepares students to assume leadership roles in the rapidly expanding, consumer-driven motorsport industry. Within the motorsport curriculum students will be prepared to address constituent-based initiatives such as team management, motorsport marketing, mass communication and media relations in motorsports, sponsorship development and management, and facility operations. The Motorsport Operations track has a thesis or internship option and may be completed with 36 credit hours.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Regular Admission:

The following are required for admission in the Sport Management concentration with a track in Motorsport Operations:

• Undergraduate degree in sport management or closely related field
• GRE scores
• 2.7 cumulative undergraduate grade point average on a 4.0 scale
• Resume and contact information for at least three academic references
• Essay explaining career goals and how completion of the Sport Management concentration, with a track in Motorsport Operations will help achieve those goals.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

For more information please contact Dr. Keunsu Han, Department of Kinesiology, Leisure and Sport Sciences, P. O. Box 70654, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, 37614-1701. Voice: (423) 439-4382, Fax: (423) 439-5383, E-mail: hank@etsu.edu.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Various forms of financial assistance are available through the Office of Financial Aid. In addition, Graduate Assistantships and Tuition Scholarships are available in the Department of Kinesiology, Leisure and Sport Sciences (KLSS) that includes teaching in the Active Lifestyles and Wellness program or Fit Kids program, research assistants with KLSS faculty, and various other duties. Other opportunities may be available in campus recreation, intercollegiate athletics, student activities, and other campus areas. Application materials for Graduate Assistantship and Tuition Scholarship positions may be obtained from the Program Coordinator.

EAST TENNESSEE STATE & BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

(Modified Press Release Appeared Wednesday, March 10, 2004)

With two stock cars sporting new logos on display and the stately Charles C. Sherrod Library as a backdrop, officials from East Tennessee State University and Bristol Motor Speedway today unveiled a unique academic partnership in "Motorsport Operations."

"We are announcing a new partnership today between ETSU and a very special neighbor in our region - Bristol Motor Speedway," ETSU President Dr. Paul E. Stanton Jr. said during a campus news conference. "We are excited about the creation of our Motorsport Operations program through the Sport Management graduate concentration in the Department of Kinesiology, Leisure and Sport Sciences. This is a way to combine the best of ETSU with the best of BMS, and we look forward to helping our students 'start their engines'!"

Illustrating the collaborative program, special logos depicting ETSU Motorsport Operations were showcased on the hoods and side panels of the yellow official BMS pace car and a Legends car parked in front of Sherrod Library.

According to BMS President and General Manager Jeff Byrd, "The explosive growth in motorsports means more employment opportunities. Competition for these jobs will toughen, and undergraduate and graduate degrees will be imperative. This program will give ETSU graduates unique preparation for employment in the business of motorsports."

Stanton noted that a number of individuals worked diligently to bring the academic partnership to fruition. He especially commended the efforts of Byrd and BMS' Wayne Estes, plus numerous others who put time, energy and resources into making the Motorsports Operations program a reality for current and future ETSU students.

"An option like this would allow our students to expand their career management opportunities in one of the fastest growing spectator sports not just in America, but in the world," Stanton said.

"The vision of using the Speedway as a 'laboratory,' with the BMS operations professionals as guest speakers for courses, further enhances the value of the hands-on program to ETSU students."

Bristol Motor Speedway is instantly recognizable to people because of its reputation in the sporting arena as 'the world's fastest half-mile' and 'NASCAR's Toughest Ticket.' It has also earned the title of 'The Race Fan's Most Popular Speedway,' with all of its 160,000 sold-out seats, so it has very strong name recognition. We are extremely pleased to partner with BMS and offer this operations management program opportunity to our students.

ETSU students will be able to work with BMS through such endeavors as practical internships, research projects, and involvement with special events. The graduate program offers a thesis or internship option. Students choosing to write a thesis may select a research project dealing with Motorsport Operations. Courses will address topics such as facilities planning and operations, events management, legal issues and risk management, financing for sports, sport marketing, sport communication and media relations.