Madison Automotive Apprentices

[Senor_Taylor]

Hey all! Exciting news!

It's been pretty hush-hush for a while, but now I'm free to share this program with you guys. I was originally approached by our faculty adviser, Dr. Borg a few months ago about a project being led by a few JMU higher-ups and former President Linwood Rose to get a Motorsports program started at JMU and to have MM involved. The coolest news was that JMU was purchasing a renovating a garage nearby campus for the program that MM would be allowed to use for meetings and instruction. Details were few and far between due to all of the red tape.

This program will be dynamic and ever-changing based on feedback and performance, but essentially JMU has a non-profit set up to offer courses that instruct in all things Motorsports. These courses will not be for credit or certification and will not require you to be a JMU student. They are planning to offer these courses in short intensive sessions in between JMU class schedules and the first one is in August. The first courses will focus on classic air cooled Porsche restoration including a full rebuild of a motor and eventually leading into body work and then hopefully down the road, leading to even more.

The "dream" is that if these courses are successful, it could lead into a Motorsports Management degree, an Automotive Engineering degree, or anything along those lines, but that is in the distant future.

As of now, there is a Facebook page that is live: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.facebook.com/Madison-Automotive-Apprentices-1389887317716022/">https://www.facebook.com/Madison-Automo ... 317716022/</a><!-- m -->

Coming soon is the official website: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.madisonauto.org/">http://www.madisonauto.org/</a><!-- m -->

Let me know if you have any questions! I'll be happy to share any information I have, but at the moment, there's not much else to know.

[JPolen01]

This is one of the coolest things I've seen in a while. I'm insanely jealous this wasn't available during my time at JMU. I how everyone there now can take advantage of this opportunity!

[rherold9]

This is one of the coolest things I've seen in a while. I'm insanely jealous this wasn't available during my time at JMU. I how everyone there now can take advantage of this opportunity!

+1 time infinity. I really hoped this evolved to an automotive/engineering degree. Please keep us alumni updated on how we can support this!

I hope this shows that something like MM isn't that hated by JMU as it used to be.

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[ScottyB]

this is absolutely amazing and can potentially elevate the club's opportunities forever. the fact that JMU faculty and the former pres involved is tremendous.

aside from the obvious amazing education the program provides, I cannot imagine how cool it will be to have a legit garage hangout to bring all the MM member too for meetings and activities. that kind of atmosphere for a college club is something very rare.

will these courses be led by faculty, invited speakers, students, or perhaps all of the above?

nice job guys!

[*insertusernamehere*]

Hot damn August? Well let me go sign up!

[Jake]

Borg mentioned it to me briefly at the car show. I'm so damn pumped that this is coming to fruition. Definitely in to help support as alumni however I can!

[Senor_Taylor]

will these courses be led by faculty, invited speakers, students, or perhaps all of the above?

I'm not entirely sure. A lot of stuff hasn't been ironed out yet for sure. I actually had to turn down a position in this program when I signed with my "real" job, but I'm still on board in a more limited capacity. Hopefully that means I can get in to the first course Right now, I'm advising on some of the promotional stuff.

As far as the garage for MM this is all what is "planned" so things could change. It seems that the shop will be used full time as an actual location to work on the cars and MM is welcome to pop by and watch and chat up the technicians. I've been told there might be opportunities to get cars on the lifts and do some tutorials and such for the members, but it seems pretty clear that members won't actually be able to use it for personal projects.

Current students should keep an eye out for a "paint party" coming soon. We should really focus on helping as a club to assure our involvement with this program.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Yasss... get involved.

Really bummed I wasn't there for that but excited JMU is getting more involved.

Let us know if we can help with any promotions or anything!


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[ryangreen1]

This makes me really wanna come back for a 5th year. I'm in if you are Taylor.

[Senor_Taylor]

This makes me really wanna come back for a 5th year. I'm in if you are Taylor.

I'm in for a victory lap. Let's do it.

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[Goodspeed]

Seriously cool news, and a potential game changer for the club on many levels. Much excite! I remember Dr. Rose had an old...British thing, I can't remember if it was a Jag or an Austin Healey or what, but it's heartening to hear some of the JMU power brokers are car people and are working to make this happen. Definitely looking forward to hearing more on this

[davej]

where are the SMAD MM'ers?
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.jmu.edu/stuemploy/JLD/SUM_MadisonAuto.shtml">http://www.jmu.edu/stuemploy/JLD/SUM_MadisonAuto.shtml</a><!-- m -->

[Senor_Taylor]

where are the SMAD MM'ers?
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.jmu.edu/stuemploy/JLD/SUM_MadisonAuto.shtml">http://www.jmu.edu/stuemploy/JLD/SUM_MadisonAuto.shtml</a><!-- m -->

We don't have any.

[CaioGarbim]

Is this a Dream coming true?


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[BLINGMW]

This seems pretty wild. Maybe we were just too young and dumb at the time, but this is the first I've heard Rose was a car guy. And he's been the president through all of MM's existence. How did we miss that? I've been way out of the loop for a long time, but have we ever invited him to some MM events? Does Borg invite him? Seems like a missed opportunity if not, and maybe we're behind now on the plans for this apprentice program, but it would be kinda sad if MM wasn't an integral part of this.
I would really like to know if I can help with this. I'm sure at the least a few alums could pick up the check for dinner if some of the folks planning this course (we need to know them all) would like to come say hi.

[Jake]

Rose came to a car show, I think, when I was around. Maybe a few other things. He was definitely aware that we as a club existed, although to what extent, I don't know.

[BLINGMW]

ok ok that's good to hear

[DavidL]

LR is a big Austin Healey guy - he has a beautiful 1960s red convertible. I can't remember how we found that out, but I actually scheduled a meeting with him in 2010 before the car club to invite him. Spent 20 minutes shooting the shit with him about cars; his projects, what the club is up to etc (he is definitely more of the classic restoration guy than a racer) but had a really good chat with him. He did end up coming out that year, and spent half an hour walking through the show.

Check this out... DIY from "Lin"
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.healey6.com/Technical/LHRose%20Hardtop%20Restoration.pdf">http://www.healey6.com/Technical/LHRose ... ration.pdf</a><!-- m -->

[ScottyB]

Check this out... DIY from "Lin"
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.healey6.com/Technical/LHRose%20Hardtop%20Restoration.pdf">http://www.healey6.com/Technical/LHRose ... ration.pdf</a><!-- m -->

that's so cool. we gotta get him over to a few MM events.

[G.Irish]

This is fantastic! This news is almost like a dream. A million thanks for working on this Taylor, this will be a huge development for the club now and many years into the future. This is something that may elevate MM to something recognized around the country. Man this gives me the feels