Diversity tour brings NASCAR to Virginia State University
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Posted By: A Dole on September 16, 2008 Petersburg — Well before they arrived, the rumble of engines approaching University Avenue at Virginia State University was nearly tangible. Moments later, the Marching Trojan Explosion, the Woo Woos and two NASCAR vehicles competed against each other outside Foster Hall to kick off the Diversity in NASCAR Symposium in the Engineering Building’s auditorium. In 2007, VSU and The Richmond International Raceway held a business and marketing class related to NASCAR. After the class, the raceway and VSU continued to work to expose NASCAR to the campus in order to foster diversity and show the opportunities available to the students, said Nickolaus “Nick” Bryan, an account executive for IMAGES USA, the multicultural marketing agency of record for the International Speedway Corporation that owns 13 NASCAR tracks. During the symposium, a panel of seven people who work for or with NASCAR spoke about their careers and held a question and answer session. Among the panelists was Samuel Belnavis, the chief diversity officer and owner designate for the Craftsman Truck Series on behalf of Roush Fenway Racing. He first came to VSU in the 1960s as a recruiter for Sears, Roebuck and Co. and was their first black hire in a managerial position. “The same opportunities I talked about with Sears, Roebuck and Co. exist in NASCAR,” he said. For the most part, panelists received their positions involving NASCAR through various internships the corporations offer. They emphasized doing good work in internships and networking to launch careers. The students in attendance had a broad range of majors from mass communications to criminal justice to engineering. Although some people consider NASCAR to be simply about drivers, there are numerous opportunities for nearly any student, Bryan said. “Opportunities lie anywhere,” he said. The largest emphasis of the panel was networking. Todd Ervin, director of multicultural marketing for International Speedway Corporation, got into his position through working with Sprint Nextel Corporation when their NASCAR sponsorship began. “Work hard, have a great attitude, meet as many people as you can and people will look out for you,” Ervin said. Belnavis agreed and said the students in attendance had the opportunity to start that day. “What we’re talking about here today is access,” he said. “For now, we’re your access.” After the panel discussion, a networking reception was held in Jones Dining Hall. On Saturday, 25 VSU students will be able to attend the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway. They will be given a behind-the-scenes tour and have the chance to meet NASCAR officials and drivers. In the event of inclement weather from Tropical Storm Hanna, the race will be delayed until conditions improve, Bryan said. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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A Dole
From Cheseapeake, VA Virginia State University class of 1987 Member Since March 2005 |
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