Talladega College students recently competed in the Tennis On Campus National Championship and spent some time at the Talladega Superspeedway learning about the business side of NASCAR racing. Talladega College’s Office of Career Exploration and Professional Development staff accompanied various students to two different events where they learned more about tennis and participated in an exhibition game between other HBCUs. Other students garnered Presidential Suite tickets to a Superspeedway race, along with a garage tour and an insider's look into the commercial side of racing.
During the 24th Annual Tennis on Campus National Championship, Talladega College students gave their best shots against fellow HBCU students from Morehouse and Spelman College. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) sponsored the event on April 6 in Rome, Georgia, for a day of learning about the racket sport and friendly competition on the tennis courts in celebration of community and promoting the sport of tennis to more diverse students.
Decquan Nisbett, finance major from St. Kitts and Nevis loved his first-time experience and would like to be invited back. “The experience here was amazing. It’s my first time ever coming here. So, next year, when they have it, I could come back again and represent my school,” he said.
Several HBCUs, including Miles and Stillman College, received an invitation to send students to this all-expense-paid opportunity to compete and make history as the first to participate in an HBCU Exhibition during the National Tennis On Campus event.
Cee Jai Jones, USTA Southern director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, was thrilled to have Talladega College students join the event and is rallying for HBCUs to become members with their own teams. “We’re so excited that they had this opportunity, and it is our goal that one of these colleges will actually take the next step and become an official Tennis on Campus team,” she stated.
Talladega College staff members also enjoy witnessing the amazing opportunities of our students to explore other horizons and expand their interests. “It was my pleasure to bring some students to Rome, Georgia, to an HBCU Tennis On Campus Exhibition. It really puts a smile on my face when the students are learning and enjoying themselves. After the event, they were asking if there’s a possibility of having a tennis team on campus. I told them I would definitely spread their interests,” said Lakeshia Swain, assistant director of Career Exploration and
Professional Development. Students walked away with swag bag gifts, complete with their own tennis rackets.
The fun continued for more TC students after NASCAR reached out to the institution to send representatives to visit the famous Talladega Superspeedway during the Spring 2024 Geico 500 Race on April 20th. Tornadoes received the presidential treatment while visiting the Executive Suite, which had a view of the finish line and a coveted garage tour. However, students also expanded their business acumen as they soaked up insightful knowledge detailing the inner workings of one of the largest spectator sports in America. The student representatives networked with ground-breaking industry professionals, like the first Black female NASCAR track president, Latasha Causey. Students also connected with John Ferguson, chief human resources officer of NASCAR, and the vice president of diversity and inclusion of NASCAR, Brandon Thompson.
“The first-time experience was awesome. They provided us with information regarding the background of NASCAR and the different opportunities for jobs/internships with NASCAR. We were invited back in October for the Fall race,” said Lakeshia Swain, assistant director of Career Exploration and Professional Development.
Students interested in learning more about opportunities in the Office of Career Exploration and Professional Development, email Lakeshia Swain at lsswain@talladega.edu.
