2011 Racing Official Accreditation Program Scholarship Winner Announced

Nick Craighead of Del City, Okla., has been named the winner of the 2011 Racing Officials Accreditation Program Scholarship (ROAP) through the assistance of the Race for Education. The purpose of this scholarship is to enable students the opportunity to pursue a career in the horse racing industry as a racing official. Mr. Craighead was in law enforcement for 14 years and has been involved in the horse industry for the past four years.

 

“The horse racing industry is a passion of mine as were my years in law enforcement, and because of the ROAP scholarship, I am now able to attain my goal for stewardship at the ROAP full accreditation school hosted by the University of Louisville,” Craighead states. He has worked as a placing judge for the past two years and hopes to work in the thoroughbred, quarter horses and mixed breed racing industries.

 

To be eligible for this scholarship, students must be recent graduates of the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program, University of Louisville Equine Industry Program, or other related equine program; or show that they will make a contribution to the racing industry. Racing experience is highly recommended. For more information on the Racing Officials Accreditation Program please go to, www.horseracingofficials.com. 

 

Since its inception in 2002 the Race for Education has awarded nearly, $3,400,000 in college scholarships, including our 2011 programs. The Race for Education’s objective goes beyond getting students though college financially. Our mission is to provide mentoring, tutoring and partnership along with financial support, with the ultimate goal of making sure students are successful in life and become an asset to their community. Although the majority of the students involved in The Race For Education program come from high risk and extreme need backgrounds, the graduation rate is over 70% while the national average is about 50%[1] and 90 % of Race for Education students make the dean’s list.

 

[1] Based on American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, Education Outlook 2008

 

ROAP, which receives primary funding from The Jockey Club and is based in its Kentucky office, is a 501(c) (6) organization whose board of directors is made up of representatives from 18 industry organizations and eight at-large representatives. Stewards and judges receive their accreditation and continuing education credits through this program.

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