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Society-Ready Graduates
Job Placement in the Race Track Industry Program
Nugget Statement
Ninety percent of the students in the University of Arizona’s
Race Track Industry Program gain immediate employment upon graduation;
the program was developed in direct response to a need for college-educated
employees with business skills and an in-depth knowledge of all areas
of the field.
Issue
Thirty-one years ago a need arose in the racing industry for employees
who were college educated, with business skills and a more in-depth
knowledge of all areas of the field. To help raise the quality of the
industry and the education of its employees, the University of Arizona
developed the Race Track Industry Program, one of the only such programs
in the country.
What has been done?
The Race Track Industry Program (RTIP) was established at the University
of Arizona in 1974, primarily through the efforts of three industry
leaders. The current advisory council, composed of racing industry leaders,
directs and supports the program by identifying long range needs of
the industry that can be met by the Race Track Industry Program. The
bachelor of science degree program in Agriculture, with a Race Track
Industry Program Option, includes an overview of the racing industry,
and courses in race track management and marketing, animal care and
management, and legal issues/racing laws. The 2005/2006 academic year
marks the first time a non-thesis masters degree is available within
the RTIP business-based curriculum.
Students choose an emphasis in Business or Animal Management. The business
path is structured for students planning careers in management, marketing
or regulation. The animal management path is for students interested
in training, sales, the breeding industry, or farm management. Each
year qualified upperclassmen are placed as student interns within a
broad spectrum of North American and foreign racing, breeding and racing-related
organizations. Students also participate in the program's annual Symposium
on Racing, held each December since 1974. Students organize and manage
this event, where they have the opportunity to meet and interact with
many of the pari-mutuel industry's best-known and respected leaders.
The RTIP conducts an accreditation program for officials who oversee
racing (stewards and judges) throughout the country.
Impact
The demand for RTIP graduates continues as reflected by the 90 percent
who gain employment in the racing industry immediately upon graduation.
Graduates hold positions of chief executive officer, chief financial
officer, general manager, mutuel director, simulcast coordinator, director
of marketing, editor, executive director, steward, judge, racing secretary
and trainer at tracks across North America and the world.
The minium impact of the annual student-run Symposium on Racing and
its more than 900 attendees on the local Tucson economy is $2.8 million,
according to a recent study.
“The University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program provided
the great education, internship opportunities and the professional contacts
that launched my career in the Standardbred industry.” –Administrator,
Maryland Standardbred Race Fund
“I got a job in racing immediately after I'd finished my course
work. Most of my classmates had the same experience.” –Director
of Communications, National Thoroughbred Racing Association.
Funding
RTIP Department sponsors Annual Symposium on Racing
Private donations from organizations and individuals
Contact
Wendy Davis, associate coordinator
Race Track Industry Program
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department of Animal Sciences
The University of Arizona
P.O. Box 210069
Tucson, AZ 85721-0069
Tel: (520) 621-5660, FAX: (520) 621-8239
Email: wdavis@ag.arizona.edu
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