ESU Backup Insider

On Wednesday, April 10 students studying sport management at East Stroudsburg University will welcome NASCAR Xfinity driver Justin Haley and representatives from Pocono Raceway to ESU as part of the Pocono Raceway College Tour.

In its fourth year, the “3 Turn” competition asks marketing, sport management, and business management clubs from four regional universities to focus on areas of marketing, research and analysis, and event planning. This year ESU is competing against The University of Scranton, Centenary University, and Kutztown University. Pocono Raceway will determine the winner of the 2019 Pocono Raceway College Tour based on each school’s performance. The winning group will be given a VIP experience at the Pocono Green 250 Recycled by J.P. Mascaro and Sons NASCAR Xfinity Race at Pocono Raceway on Saturday, June 1, as well as $500.

“This is a great opportunity for our students to plan a major event and work with a professional athlete and professional sports venue,” said Edward Arner, instructor of sport management and advisor to the sport management club. “It also strengths our relationship with Pocono Raceway as a community partner.”

Haley, who participated in last year’s College Tour and helped ESU to win the 2018 competition will begin his day on campus with a question and answer session during a sport management course, psychosocial aspects of sport. Students will have the opportunity to ask about the psychological demands of being an athlete. The driver will also visit the Mekeel Child Care Center, the University Center, the Science and Technology Center, and Koehler Fieldhouse before arriving at the main event – the Block Party on the Quad.

“This is ESU’s fourth year participating in the Pocono Raceway College Tour, and we’ve learned and improved our event each year. Last year we won, and we’re really hoping for a repeat!” said Kevin McNanna, a senior studying sport management from Sandyston, N.J. McNanna serves as vice president of the sport management club and believes this year’s event has a lot to offer. “The block party was a big success last year, so we’re bringing that back. There will be a tire changing station, a DJ, lawn games, and ticket giveaways,” McNanna said. “We are also adding an academic component this year. It’ll be interesting to hear Justin Haley give an athlete’s perspective about the mental demands he faces every day during the psychosocial class.”

Psychosocial Aspects of Sport, taught by Xiaochen Zhou, Ph.D., assistant professor of sport management, will be held in Zimbar-Liljenstein Hall, room 205 at noon on Wednesday. The block party will take place on the Shawnee Quad from 1 – 4 p.m.

To learn more about the sport management program at ESU please contact, department chair, Dr. Jaedeock Lee, at 570-422-3340 or email jaedeock@esu.edu. To learn more about Pocono Raceway and the Pocono Raceway College Tour, please contact Kevin Heaney, Pocono Raceway director of content and communications, at 570-643-7180, or email kheaney@poconoraceway.com.

To request an interview with Justin Haley and other participants of the event on Wednesday, April 10 please contact Elizabeth Richardson, assistant director of university relations at 570-422-3139 or email erichard10@esu.edu.