Page 29 - NCAT Magazine Fall 2018

athletics

Former n.C. a&t athletes
get physical as pit crewmen

NASCAR AggieS

Keiston France ’17 Joshua Patrick ’18 Whitney Martin ’17

By Scott W. Pastorick Creating a multicultural drivers, owners, sponsors, Horton’s clientele expanded In May, France and Patrick France says he is a longtime “My experience so far has the Diversity Internship
environment allows people crew members and to include pit crewmen, as endured a four-hour skills NASCAR fan and has always been very eye-opening to Program to work at
from different ethnic groups, corporate workers with well as eight other NASCAR competition to test their wanted to work on a pit see the different possibilities NASCAR’s corporate office
religions and races to share intent to create a more drivers and 12 racing teams fitness and agility. They crew. After finding out about for African Americans in in Daytona Beach, Florida.
their various experiences diverse audience. over the span of seven were among a group of 10 the program from his father, the sport of NASCAR,” said Martin met an array of
and ideas to accomplish years. In 2016, he was hired competitors who started he contacted Horton to get Patrick. “I never really thought people who helped her
a common goal within Coach Phil horTon by Rev Racing to be the pit the day with warm-up drills more information. France I would be in this position, throughout the internship.
an organization. It also ’83 heads the Pit Crew crew coach for the Drive before taking a physical was eventually informed of but I am enjoying myself and After graduating, Martin in
gives groups of people Development Program, for Diversity Crew Member assessment test that his selection to the combine. hopefully in the near future 2017 interned at Integrated
opportunities they normally NASCAR’s newest diversity Development program included 100 single-under I can make some big things Marketing Communications
would be unaware of. program that is now in its during its inaugural year. jump ropes, 25 lateral-cone “I was elated when I received happen in the sport.” before landing a job with
third year. high knees, five speed-ladder the call inviting me to the the company as senior
This is the case for Two of Horton’s fellow drills, 25 push-ups, 25 ab-mat combine,” said France, who is Edmonds and Martin did coordinator in racing
NASCAR’s minority career Horton received his master’s Aggies—recent graduates rollouts and 100 medicine- training to be a tire changer. not go through the Pit Crew communications.
opportunities. degree from Michigan State keisTon franCe ’17 and ball sit-ups. They were then “Working for a pit crew has Combine or development
before becoming an athletics Joshua PaTriCk ’18—did put in a live pit-stop situation been a dream of mine since program but were hired by “At the time, I was searching
North Carolina A&T trainer at Florida A&M and well at the Pit Crew Combine where they changed and middle school.” Richard Childress Racing’s for an internship and as an
graduates and former the University of Memphis. that was held earlier this year carried tires in a mock pit- Diversity Development athlete, I knew I wanted to
student-athletes are playing He also worked for the NBA’s at the NASCAR Research stop set up. Patrick learned of the Program in Welcome, be involved with sports,” said
a major role in NASCAR’s Milwaukee Bucks an athletics and Development Center program through friend North Carolina. Edmonds Martin. “I didn’t know what to
diversity programs such as trainer and strength and in Concord, North Carolina. France crushed the and former teammate is looking to get into the expect because this was my
Drive for Diversity Driver, conditioning coach. In 1989, France, a former men’s tennis competition with the fastest CourTney edmonds, 2019 Pit Crew Combine and first NASCAR experience, but
Pit Crew Development Horton established Athletic player at A&T, and Patrick, a physical-assessment test time who learned about the hopes to be selected for the I could not have asked for a
Program, NASCAR Diversity Training Concept Inc. He former football standout for (4:17) followed by Patrick program from another development program. better internship.”
Internship Program, Opinion left the Bucks in 1996 and the Aggies, were selected for in third (5:07). The Aggie former Aggie football player,
Leader Initiative and started working at ATC Inc., the Pit Crew Development pair started the six-month CorBin marTin. Patrick Another Aggie, former And she could not
NASCAR Scholarships. These which led him to become the Program. program in September 2018 also contacted Horton and women’s basketball player have asked for a better
programs are designed personal trainer for former and will then receive a pit received a call two weeks WhiTney marTin 17, also opportunity thanks to the
to attract minorities and NASCAR driver Ernie Irvin. crew job with the NASCAR later that he had been has worked with NASCAR. willingness of a company to
females to the sport as Xfinity Series. selected to train as a In the summer of her promote diversity.
tire carrier. junior year, Martin used

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