PHOENIX / ORLANDO, Fla. – Matthew Langham, a Kissimmee, Fla. resident, was recently awarded the Jeremy McGrath Scholarship at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium by the seven-time supercross champion.
The Jeremy McGrath Scholarship awards $20,000 toward the program of choice at Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI)’s campuses in Phoenix, Ariz. or Orlando, Fla. MMI is a provider of technical education training for students seeking careers as professional motorcycle technicians.
“It is so hard to choose just one winner,” said Jeremy McGrath. “I think any of the top four I called would have done great things with this scholarship. Matthew was very enthusiastic during my interview and I just felt he was the one. I’m glad to be able to give something back to the sport that has given so much to me and my family.”
“I couldn’t believe it when Jeremy called me,” said Langham. “I wanted this so bad. My whole family is really excited. I graduate from high school soon and will be attending MMI in Orlando Florida in February 2008.
“This is the fourth year that Live Nation and Jeremy McGrath, who personally selects the winner, have supported this scholarship program,” said Terry Emig, director of Motorsports and Event Marketing for MMI. “Their commitment and the dedication of the previous recipients, who all excelled at MMI and in the industry, have made this a successful program. We are honored to be part of the program and help someone achieve their dream.”
Students who were interested in attending MMI submitted an application and a two-minute DVD expressing why they should receive the 2007 MMI/Jeremy McGrath scholarship. The school received 61 entries and a panel of judges narrowed them down to 10. McGrath personally reviewed the 10 semi-finalist DVDs and then conducted phone interviews with four finalists before choosing Langham.
In its fourth year, the Jeremy McGrath Scholarship has been awarded to students with a passion for working with motorcycles. In fact, the first two recipients -- Eric Salava (2004) and Todd Hunn (2005) -- graduated at the top of their class and moved on to rewarding careers in the motorcycle industry. Last year’s winner Mary Morgan, the first female recipient, is currently attending MMI’s Orlando campus.
About Jeremy McGrath
Jeremy McGrath is considered the greatest motocross rider of all time; a rider who helped put motocross on the map in the U.S. and other countries. McGrath has the record for the most AMA Supercross championship wins in the 250cc class (seven) and has won an outstanding 60 percent of the races he has entered. In 1993 and 1996, McGrath brought home the gold from the Motocross de Nations, and in that same year, he had a banner season, winning a record 14 out of 15 Supercross races. McGrath is a 2003 Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, and recently retired; however, he continues to race in Supermoto events.
About Universal Technical Institute, Inc. and Motorcycle Mechanics Institute
Universal Technical Institute, Inc. is a provider of technical education training for students seeking careers as professional automotive, collision repair, diesel, marine and motorcycle technicians. The company offers undergraduate degree, diploma and certificate programs at 10 campuses across the United States, and manufacturer-sponsored advanced programs at 18 dedicated training centers. Through its campus-based school system, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. offers specialized technical education programs through several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) and NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI). For more information, visit www.UTI.Edu.
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