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Business students bring the heat to the racetrack

Business students bring the heat to the racetrack

Posted on Friday, October 25, 2024

Junior business major drives on course

Start your engines!

Juniors Connor Roberts and Brandon Matson, who are involved with Formula 4 and go-kart racing, respectively, keep the pedal to the metal in an activity they have come to know and love.

Racing became a passion for Roberts after watching his father.

“My father raced in the early 2000s, and being able to go to the track with him from a young age drew me into racing,” Roberts said. “I have been involved in the sport for about 10 years, from racing karts to helping dad at the track and then moving up to cars shortly after my 14th birthday.”

Matson feels right at home on the course.

Football player karting on course

“I have a family history in the activity, so it was natural when I went to my first race in July 2012 that I became obsessed,” Matson said. “I have been involved off and on for about 10 years.”

Finding success in racingDriver earns award

Through years of hard work and dedication, Roberts moved up the racing ladder to the F4 United States championship in Canada, where he competed back in September.

“The track was awesome and there were close to 30,000 people there to watch and support,” he said.

He has earned the title of divisional champion in the Sports Car Club of America two years in a row and is currently third in the points standings of the US F4 championship.

Matson, who competes mainly at New Smyrna Speedway and the Orlando Kart Center, has received accolades in his races on the track and in a simulator.

“I have pole positions and wins with a best season finish of 9th place,” he said. “In the simulator I have won multiple championships.”

Juggling academics and activities

Outside of racing, they are keeping their focus in the classroom and on campus commitments, especially for Matson, who is heavily involved in football, the Sports Management Club and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

Both have learned skills in the Business program that they will take with them into their desired careers in the motorsports industry.

“I have learned the importance of knowing how to communicate and being able to convey what you know,” Roberts said.

“The Business program has taught me how to build and maintain relationships,” Matson added.

Throughout his time as a student, Matson has been mentored by Associate Sports Management Professor Dr. Clay Bolton and all the football coaches.

“They have pushed me past my limits to become the best version of myself,” he said.

Why LC?

“It is a very student-centered environment where all the teachers know you by name, which is a big help for learning and being able to ask questions,” Roberts said.

“You get a quality education with hands-on experience that will set you up for a successful career,” Matson said.

 

Campus Notes

Group in same color attireCampus group don same color clothingPosing in same color attireFaculty wearing same color attire

  • Faculty, staff and students have shown their support for breast cancer awareness by wearing pink every Wednesday during the month of October.
  • Housing and Residence Life will host a haunted trail event on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 9 p.m., at Sunny Gables.
  • Prospective students and their families will come to the Hill for fall Preview Day on Saturday, Nov. 9. More information is available on the Preview Day website.

 

Collegiate Enrichment

Sports Management Advisory Board

Tuesday, Oct. 29

10 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room

  • Sports Management hosts its annual Advisory Board, featuring personnel from the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons, Auburn University Athletics, Georgia Tech Athletics and more.

Stay in Good Standing: Understanding Financial Aid and Academic Standing Policies

Tuesday, Oct. 29

11 a.m., Bailey Room

  • Director of Financial Aid Jackie Belcher and Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and Registrar Amber Baldridge will lead students through understanding financial aid and academic standing policies.

Black Male Initiative Presents: Tyrone Dillard

Wednesday, Oct. 30

11 a.m., Bailey Room

  • Tyrone Dillard, Chick-fil-A’s senior director of new restaurants real estate, will speak with students about his career at the company.

On the Road to Becoming a Physical Therapist

Thursday, Oct. 31

Noon, Corn Auditorium

  • Join Exercise Science Professor Dr. Colleena Collins for an informative and engaging event designed for those interested in pursuing a career in physical therapy.

 

November Faculty and Staff Birthdays

1-Nick Beamenderfer, Athletics (Baseball)

1-Kerry Kenner, Enrollment Management and Student Experience

2-Simon Hwang, Mathematics

5-Melvin Hall, Chemistry

10-KeJuana Campbell, Business Office

15-Karen Leeper, Psychological Science

16-Astra Barkley, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

25-Paul Hammock, Music

27-Kendal Wallace, Athletics (Men’s Basketball)

28-Kelly Veal, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

28-Patti Hoxsie, Advancement

 

Sports

Football

Team plays Brevard

LC beat Brevard 26-21 on Saturday, Oct. 19. The team hosts Greensboro for Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 26 (tomorrow).

Freshman honored for second time

Freshman Mychal Stillwell was named USA South’s Offensive Rookie of the Week for the second time in a row. He caught a team-high six passes for a career-best 85 yards in last week’s win.

Junior honored for second time

Junior Brandon Matson was named USA South’s Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season. He punted six times for 215 yards.

Men’s Soccer

Team to play Belhaven

The Panthers tied 2-2 with Middle Georgia on Sunday, Oct. 20. The team will travel to Belhaven to compete in the final match of the regular season on Saturday, Oct. 26 (tomorrow).

Senior honored for second time

Senior Robel Teshome was named Collegiate Conference of the South’s Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season. In a decisive 4-1 victory over Huntingdon, Teshome led the charge with a standout performance, contributing a goal and two assists for a total of three points.

Women’s Soccer

Team plays Piedmont

LC lost 0-4 to Piedmont on Wednesday, Oct. 24. The team will take on Agnes Scott on Saturday, Oct. 26 (tomorrow), at 11 a.m. for Senior Day.

Junior earns award

Junior Kaia King was named Collegiate Conference of the South’s Offensive Player of the Week. In last week’s match against Huntingdon, she contributed an assist and scored both her 10th and 11th goals of the season.

Volleyball

Team to play Covenant

The Panthers won 3-0 against Wesleyan and lost 0-3 to Asbury during a tri-match on Saturday, Oct. 19, in Macon, Georgia. On Wednesday, the team fell 0-3 to Clark Atlanta University. The Panthers will host Covenant and Piedmont on Saturday, Oct. 26 (tomorrow) from noon to 6 p.m.

Men’s Golf

Golf team at Berry

LC placed 13th at the Chick-fil-A Invitational Oct. 21-22 to wrap up the fall season.

Freshman receives award

Freshman CJ Kilkelly was named the Collegiate Conference of the South’s Rookie of the Week. He had a solid showing at the Chick-Fil-A Invitational, shooting an opening round of 72.

 

Panther Calendar

(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)

Saturday, Oct. 26 – Women’s Soccer (Home) vs. Agnes Scott College, 11 a.m., Panther Field

Saturday, Oct. 26 – Volleyball Tri Match (Home) vs. Piedmont University and Covenant College, noon and 2 p.m., Richter Gym

Saturday, Oct. 26 – Football (Home) vs. Greensboro College, 1 p.m., Callaway Stadium

Saturday, Oct. 26 – Men’s Soccer at Belhaven University, 2 p.m., Jackson, Mississippi

Monday, Oct. 28 – Women’s Golf at Chick-fil-A Invitational, Rome, Georgia

Tuesday, Oct. 29 – Women’s Golf at Chick-fil-A Invitational, Rome, Georgia

Tuesday, Oct. 29 – Volleyball at Tuskegee University, 7 p.m., Tuskegee, Georgia

Wednesday, Oct. 30 – Men’s Soccer CCS Quarterfinals vs. Asbury, TBA, Lookout Mountain, Georgia

Thursday, Oct. 31 – Women’s Basketball (Scrimmage) at Auburn University, 6 p.m., Auburn, Alabama

 

In the Headlines

LaGrange College to host Homecoming, LaGrange Daily News, Oct. 23

LaGrange College football enjoying remarkable turnaround, LaGrange Daily News, Oct. 22

 

Category: Students, Academics

Keywords: Motorsports, Athletics

Press Contact

Lindy Oller
 Email


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Last updated: 10/25/2024
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