On March 8, NASCAR visited Alcorn State University in hopes of finding the sport's next generation of pit crew members to participate in the Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program. Eight former student-athletes competed in a grueling combine for a chance to be invited to the national combine located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Four student-athletes have been invited to participate in the national combine. The invitees include: Breanna O’Leary (Softball) of Amarillo, Texas; Robert Clay (Football) of Nashville, Tennessee; Toto’a Leilu (Football) of Leloloa, A.S/Samoana.; and Isikeli Ongosia (Football) of Olosega, A.S/Samoana.
Toto’a Leilu, a former football standout, stated, “The NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program is a great opportunity to learn a new skill. I believe that my experiences as a student-athlete will help me with the upcoming combine. I look forward to the national combine and I am thankful for the opportunity.”
The NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program is a comprehensive training program for aspiring minority and female pit crew members. The program focuses on instilling the fundamentals, discipline and confidence required to be a top athlete on a NASCAR pit crew.
Breanna O’Leary, a former softball student-athlete stated, “This is a great opportunity. I am excited about the national combine. If I am selected, it will be a great accomplishment not only for me, but for the Alcorn Athletics Department as a whole.”
If selected, the student-athletes will participate in a six-month training program that will prepare them to join a NASCAR Pit Crew upon competition. Jason Cable, assistant vice president for Athletic Compliance and Academic Services stated, “The Drive for Diversity program provided detailed exposure to NASCAR for our student –athletes and presented an opportunity for student-athletes to go pro in an area outside of their sport. It is imperative that we continue to discover creative ways to enhance the student-athlete experience, while preparing them for life after athletics.”
The Office of Athletic Academic Enhancement is proud to partner with the NASCAR Pit Crew Development Program and extremely proud of the accomplishments of our former student-athletes.
-ALCORN-
Alcorn State University is a premier comprehensive land-grant university that develops diverse students into globally competitive leaders, and applies scientific research through collaborative partnerships that benefit the surrounding communities, state, nation, and world.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Friday, April 15th 2016 at 6:55PM
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