LIMA OH (3-11-10) - The University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) offers a one-of-a-kind program in its College of Technologies.
UNOH possesses the only North Central Association accredited degree program in High Performance/Motorsports, and was the first university in the world to offer a High Performance/Motorsports program. UNOH is also the only university that owns and operates its own race track facility, Limaland Motorsports Park, acting as a true reality classroom.
The College of Technologies offers associate degrees, diploma and certificate programs. Enrollment in the technical courses within the College of Technologies is limited to only 20 students and prepares the students to perform entry-level operations within their given field. UNOH currently has two stockcar and two modified race teams on its athletic roster and is the only university that offers athletic scholarships to its Co-Ed Motorsports race teams
UNOH has established a program with the renowned touring series Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), enabling students to gain a hands-on experience with existing race teams at the track during race events. This segment will spotlight a UNOH motorsports student that has demonstrated dedication inside and outside of the classroom every week for the next four weeks.
UNOH Student Spotlight
Name: Ryan Richmond
Hometown: Canastota, NY
ARCA Team: Venturini Motorsports
Ryan Richmond is a second year student who plans to graduate with an Associate's Degree in High Performance Motorsports in August 2010. He is currently undecided whether to continue his education and attain a Bachelor's degree upon graduation or to graduate with an Associate's Degree and pursue a job with an ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards team. An upstate New York native, Richmond moved to Lima, Ohio in August of 2007 to begin the program at UNOH. Although he has not yet graduated, Richmond has already begun the transition from student to employee, with an internship working as a crew member on an ARCA team.
Richmond decided to attend UNOH because it's the only school that provides such a high-caliber program in motorsports technology. When asked if he would refer others to the UNOH program and any advice he would give, Richmond replied, "The motorsports program at UNOH is great. It allows students to gain the experience they need to further their career in motorsports and work their way up the ranks. I would advise new students to start with a smaller race team, since there is less pressure, and then move up to the higher profile teams. My brother Tyler is enrolling as I graduate from the motorsports program, so I would definitely recommend it."
In his spare time, the UNOH student helps his father work on his dirt pro stock car in New York. Richmond also works a part-time job in Ohio to help finance his travel and living expenses while on the road with Venturini Motorsports. Although this is Richmond's first year with Venturini, this will be his third consecutive year working in the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards. The past two years Richmond served under Darrell Basham as car chief for Darrell Basham Racing. This year, Richmond plans to travel the entire ARCA Racing circuit with Venturini, assisting the team with anything it needs from pre-tech car inspection procedures to in-practice car adjustments.
Regarding the internship program with ARCA, Richmond said, "It's the world's most intense internship. We're a small group of students where everyone knows everyone, and even though we all work for different teams, we help each other out and car pool to the track."
Richmond plans to continue to perfect his skills in the motorsports industry, move up the ranks in ARCA and eventually work in NASCAR. His goal is to become a successful crew chief in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
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