UNOH Students Volunteer at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2022

UNOH Motorsports Marketing Students at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Written by Contributing Columnist Professor Tom Legeman

The University of Northwestern Ohio was well represented at this year’s Indianapolis 500. Five UNOH Motorsports Marketing students volunteered during the busy month of May at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Students Teegan Clarkson, Chloe Holman, Autumn Ellingson, Kevin Theile, and Fletcher Havens worked in a variety of positions at the famed oval as a part of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Work Experience Program offered to college students.

Students worked in ticketing, traffic control, hospitality, and other trackside positions as a part of their work experience.  All were impressed by the magnitude of the event, and what it takes to get 325,000 race fans through the gates, and make them happy.

“Our goal is to allow students to get their foot in the door both in motorsports, and marketing in general,” said Kennya Santiago, Guest Experience and Programs Coordinator for Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “This is a great resume builder for students to be able to say they played a part in executing the largest sporting event in the world,” added Santiago.

“I never realized how many people it takes, and how many moving parts there are to make this all work,” said Motorsports Marketing and Management freshman Autumn Ellingson. “It was incredible.”

“You meet and interact with so many types of people, some from other countries,” said student Teegan Clarkson. “Track owner Roger Penske came by to talk to us on qualifying day; that was a highlight,” Added Clarkson.

Chloe Holman was also impressed by the magnitude of the event. “I was at Gate Number One on race day, and I could not believe how many race fans came through. The look of amazement on the faces of the children was my best memory from Indy.”

Along with working at the event, the students were able to take time to tour the garage area, and were able to get a behind the scenes look at AJ Foyt Racing, meeting Indianapolis 500 driver Dalton Kellett in the process.

“Student participation at events such as the Indianapolis 500 and the Superbowl allow our students to expand of the classroom the knowledge they are learning at UNOH,” said Tim Fitzpatrick, Dean of the UNOH Business School.” These experiences are unique, and will better prepare our students for their chosen careers.”

Category: Business, Health, and Occupational Professions

Keywords: Indy 500, Motorsports Marketing