Talladega Superspeedway, one of the most recognizable tracks on the NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit, has hired Middle Tennessee State University alumnus Tom Patterson as its director of consumer marketing.

Tom Patterson

In his new position, Patterson will be responsible for developing consumer-marketing strategies and help the vice president of sales and marketing with strategic business plans.

A 2001 graduate of MTSU and a native of Ripley, Tenn., Patterson reaped the benefits of the fledgling Sport Management program led by Dr. Colby Jubenville, a professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance.

“Dr. Jubenville has really been critical to the development of the program by building numerous relationships with professional sports leagues and teams across the country,” said Patterson. “I feel fortunate to have gone through the MTSU program and consider Dr. Jubenville a friend.”

Patterson’s career includes stints with the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League, the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball and the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League.

“Tom continues to advance confidently in the direction of his own dream in the sport industry, and that’s something we talk about with each student who enters the program,” said Jubenville.

— Gina K. Logue, gklogue@mtsu.edu