SPIRE connects with NASCAR, continues expansion
HARPERSFIELD TOWNSHIP — Excitement was evident as SPIRE Academy students leaped for T-shirt and painted their faces as they were introduced to the school's newest partnership. NASCAR driver A. J.
Allmendinger was one of the people on hand to announce the partnership between Kaulig Racing, SPIRE Academy and Vensure Employer Solutions, which will see a SPIRE Academy car race May 31 at the Nashville Superspeedway. The SPIRE car will appear only in the Nashville race. "It's the most visible activation of SPIRE's $6 million, five-year partnership with Vensure Employer Solutions, one of the largest corporate deals in youth sports history," SPIRE Academy Chief Executive Officer Steve Sanders said.
A press release from SPIRE states, "NASCAR is a signal of how the institution is operating as a business, with the right partners to scale the brand nationally in the $40 billion youth sports market. " Amy Liles, head of partnerships at SPIRE Academy, was given credit for bring the groups together. "We are just really excited about the partnership," Sanders said.
He said the connection with NASCAR will help get the academy's name out in front of a national audience. Sanders spoke about the academy's motto of being a "living lab" and how the students' success on the court, in the pool and on the field gives the academy the opportunity to create these partnerships. Sanders introduced Matt Kaulig, owner of Kaulig Racing, describing him as a fixture in Ohio.
Kaulig said he grew up in the Cincinnati area, and played football, basketball and baseball. He eventually played quarterback at the University of Akron. Kaulig said he lives in Hudson, and is excited to have the connection between SPIRE and the race team.