ETSU announced Wednesday a joint venture between the university and Bristol Motor Speedway to create an undergraduate and graduate program in Motorsports Operations.
Part of the department of physical education, exercise and sport sciences, the program will take course work that is already in place and include guest speakers from BMS and provide hands-on experience at the speedway.
“We are formalizing an arrangement that has been in place for years,” said Jeff Byrd, BMS president and general manager. “This program will give ETSU graduates a unique preparation for employment in the business of motorsports.”
“Both my son and daughter graduates from ETSU, so it has a special place in my heart. We are looking forward to this program,” he said.
Tom Coates, interim chair of the department of physical education, exercise and sports management, said that the program would be the only kind in the nation and would place the university at the forefront of motorsports operations.
“When I came here, I was reminded that BMS was just up the road,” said Coates.
“We will keep doing what we have been doing,” he said, adding that the venture with the speedway only compliments the program.
ETSU President Paul Stanton gave credit for the program to Coates saying, he “knew an option like this would allow our students to expand their career management oppotunities in one one of the fastest growing specator sports not just in America, but in the world.”
Stacy Fine, an ETSU graduate and current BMS employee, said a program like this one “would have helped tremendously” with her career.
“I think it will help keep graduates here versus Charlotte. Being local, they will already know the sport. They know Bristol Motor Speedway and they know the fans.”
The NASCAR main office is located in Charlotte, N.C. A majority of teams have their headquarters in the surrounding area.
BMS has long been titled the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile” and sells out its 160,000 seats only weeks after the tickets go up for sale.
NASCAR has the second largest viewing audience in the nation, behind the NFL. Over 13 million fans bought tickets in the 2003 season.
Fans from throughout the nation come to Bristol twice a year for the races and bring millions of dollars to the region.
For more information, contact Coates at (423) 439-5261 or at coates@etsu.edu

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