ETSU links with Bristol speedway for motorsports program

ETSU President Paul Stanton unveiled a new motorsports operations program Wednesday in partnership with the speedway, which will be part of the university’s sports and leisure management major.

“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 this fall semester,” Stanton said.

Jeff Byrd, president and general manager of the speedway, said the growth in motorsports means more jobs.

“Competition for these jobs will toughen, and undergraduate and graduate degrees will be imperative,” Byrd said. “This program will give ETSU graduates unique preparation for employment in the business of motorsports.”

The new motorsports operations program will start this fall, and ETSU officials developed the curriculum by adding to existing courses.

But the key piece to the program is the university’s partnership with the speedway, which seats 160,000 and hosts two Nextel Cup races each year.

The speedway will provide guest speakers for classes with students able to use the half-mile track and its surroundings as a laboratory for field experience. Speedway officials can tap students for internships and help at special events.

Courses will teach facilities planning and operations, events management, legal issues and risk management, financing, sport marketing, sport communications and media relations.

The graduate program also offers either a thesis or non-thesis option.

Stanton credited Tom Coates of the school’s Department of PE, Exercise and Sports Sciences with coming up with the new academic program.

“His vision of using the speedway as a laboratory with the BMS operations professionals as adjunct instructors for courses, further enhances the value of the hands-on program to undergraduate and graduate students alike,” Stanton said.

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