NSC Athlete Nicholas Patterson; Collegiate Baseball & Football Athlete becomes NASCAR Jackman

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Nicholas Patterson

Winston-Salem State: Baseball & Football | LB/TE/LS

Pro Athlete: NASCAR Pit Crew | Jackman | Daytona 500 Champion

Twitter: @bald_eagle116 | Instagram: @bald_eagle116

Nicholas Patterson – Former Collegiate Baseball/Football Athlete – Now NASCAR Jackman

​Q: How did 2020 and the pandemic affect your professional opportunities?

A: For us in NASCAR, we ended up having a month and a half off during the height of Covid-19 which was March and half of April. Upon return to work we have had to implement numerous protocols that allow for contact tracing and so on. Masks, seating charts on our charter flights every weekend, our own hotel rooms, only so many people per rental vehicle, that kind of thing. 

 

Q: How did 2020 and the pandemic adjust your preparation for future opportunities?

A: I don’t know that it affects future opportunities. It’s one of those things where you roll with it and hope things go back to normal so you can focus more on performance and relaxing rather than having to be so conscious of the protocols put in place. 

 

Q: How did you get involved in NASCAR?

A: I was a volunteer with the Athletic Trainers and Strength and Conditioning program at Winston-Salem State University to gain experience and remain involved after my years of NCAA eligibility had expired. Scott Bowen at Roush Fenway contacted WSSU to ask if any graduating seniors in the football program met whatever specifications he was looking for in a Jackman. Ian Mushinski was the head Athletic Trainer at WSSU and a good friend and he threw my name out and told me Scott may be calling. He did call, and it escalated from there.

Leaders lead from the front, and good leaders don’t let others shortcomings affect their character. Do to others as you would have them do to you. So many people do to others the same that was done to them but that doesn’t work. Treat people the way you want to be treated. 

Q: What was the process to join NASCAR like?

A: When Scott called, I told him I had never watched NASCAR, really had no interest in NASCAR, and did not know anything about NASCAR but that I was willing to come check it out because I don’t like to turn down opportunities without knowing what is involved. Cameron Cobb who is now Head of Pit Operations at Roush Fenway, is also the Jackman coach. He said he would give me an hour every Wednesday if I was willing to come and train and we could evaluate after a little bit and see where we were. My intent post college was the military special forces so I was pretty set on that. After 3 months of training with Cameron I told them I was going to have to prepare to ship out. Scott asked “what can we do to get you to consider staying?” I told him if they could match what I would make in the military and provide full benefits then I would stay. He made me the offer the next day and that started the journey. I practiced with a developmental pit group at Roush Fenway for several months, pitted my first late model race at Hickory Motor Speedway, then the Snowball Derby in Florida, and then was placed on a Truck Series team for the 2018 season. After 5 races I made it onto the Roush Fenway #16 Xfinity car. I was also pitting the #96 Cup car which was running part time, but half-way through the season it gained sponsorship and ran the entire back half of the season so I was able to do all 3 series in my first year. 

 

Q: What were your reasonings to attend the National Scouting Combine?

A: At the time of my attendance at the BSN National Scouting Combine I was like everyone else, seeking a professional spot to play football for someone. I wanted to be picked up by anyone just so I could get film and progress up the ranks to eventually make it into the NFL.

 

Q: Did participating in the National Scouting Combine help you prepare for NASCAR opportunity?

A: I don’t know that it especially helped with NASCAR but I don’t think it hurt that’s for sure. Anytime you get the opportunity to perform in front of someone who has the potential to alter your career path, it allows the opportunity to hone the skill of performing under pressure. 

 

 

Q: What was an important fact that you learned about yourself during this process?

A: There are parts of the process that as I mentioned before, hone the ability to perform under pressure. I would say the most valuable part of the whole process was understanding the end goal, understanding potential hurdles to get over, and navigating them gracefully and calmly. Not making the moment bigger than it has to be. 

 

Q: How can athletes interested in NASCAR pursue that type of opportunity?

A: It’s one of those things where if you want the opportunity you walk into a race shop and ask about that process. It’s not something many people get accepted into but they take high level athletes that mesh with the other guys. Being accepted by your peers is a big part of it so being slow to speak and quick to listen goes a long way when coupled with hard work ethic and attention to detail. Be coachable, take criticism, adapt and continue to grow. 

 

Q: What are your sports or personal goals for 2021?

A: From a statistics standpoint I want to be ranked in the top 5 jackmen on pit road. Also another one of my personal goals is to just consistently top tier in my performance without having dips or major highs and lows. I am striving to be at the top and to remain there. 

 

Q: Rank the top five priorities in your life.

A: Priority 1) That is definitely my relationship with God. We have to understand where we came from, why we are here, how to differentiate between right and wrong, and what happens when we die. Those 4 things are paramount to understand your place and purpose in life and all 4 answers have to correspond to one another in a coherent way. I found that when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and He is my ultimate priority. 

 

Priority 2) My wife. She is an incredible woman and our marriage is absolutely one of the best things to ever happen to me. She is an amazing School Psychologist in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System. 

 

Priority 3) My career. I am an avid worker. If I am not working toward something then I’m not truly fulfilled. I love working at my craft and honing my skill as an athlete to perform to the best of my ability on Friday, Saturday, and especially Sunday. 

 

Priority 4) Friends. I love sharing experiences and good times with friends. I’m a very social person, I enjoy hanging out and cultivating good strong friendships.

 

Priority 5) Hobbies. I run a bowfishing charter out of Concord NC with one of my best friends. We started it a little over a year ago and it has grown exponentially. Bowfishing is one of my favorite pass times. The other is hitting the slopes snowboarding. 

 

Q: What is some advice you would give to the athletes who are planning to participate in the upcoming National Scouting Combine?

A: Best advice I can give is to relax and be confident that what you’re about to do at the combine is not different from what you normally do except this time it’s just a different crowd. Don’t think about the combine like you have to do something extraordinary outside of what you normally do. The combine is to showcase what you already can do consistently, it’s not a time for you to have a career highlight day. 

 

Q: What were your reasonings to attend the National Scouting Combine?

A: To hopefully attract a Scout looking to sign me.

 

Q: What has kept you motivated in life to continue to work hard and keep pushing forward?

A: Motivation is personal, it has to be something that only pushes you. Someone else cannot motivate you, only you can motivate you. I’m a little bit of a perfectionist but very competitive and I thrive as an athlete. I pick a goal and I attack it and for as long as I can remember I am motivated by being the best at whatever it is that I choose to do. 

 

 

Q: How have all your past sports experiences prepared you to become a better player and/or teammate?

A: Through other sports experiences you learn how to perform under pressure, how to handle the moment, and how to take criticism and apply it. Oftentimes we have to hear the message, not the delivery. I’m also very sensitive to what others are feeling and why they might be feeling that way and that helps me be a good team-mate so I know what my guys need and when they need it. 

 

 

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you have received?

A: Leaders lead from the front, and good leaders don’t let others shortcomings affect their character. Do to others as you would have them do to you. So many people do to others the same that was done to them but that doesn’t work. Treat people the way you want to be treated. 

 

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National Scouting Combine Posts

“I would like to start this message by thanking you and everyone involved who made this opportunity possible. I am truly grateful for the experience and atmosphere you’ve cultivated through the National Scouting Combine. My journey has not been an easy one by any means. Losing my mother in 2017 to cancer, losing the house my brothers and I called home before attending this very event in 2018, and completely bombing the event left me completely shot mentally. This event that just took place gave me the motivation and hope for better days. That is exactly what has been provided to me. Opportunities I never considered have presented themselves to me with each passing day. WWE contract offers, Rugby offers, and NFL scout inquiries about what kind of man Jarrod Cann is, are just the first of many opportunities that were made real through my participation in your event! Thank you for allowing me to tell my story on such a platform and allowing me to save lives with my story.”
Jarrod Cann
Jarrod CannRB, Central Connecticut State
“The National Scouting Combine was a great opportunity for me to get official test numbers and get my information out to teams and scouts to gain necessary exposure. It is always a big challenge for athletes to get official verified numbers but the National Scouting Combine gave me this opportunity. The entire staff works with the players to put them into the best position to succeed. They give players opportunities to promote themselves on and off the field. They have a setup to do all combine tests and to perform official position drills. The event also allows for players to gain useful contacts with teams and National Scouting Combine staff members to further promote themselves. The National Scouting Combine provided me with a chance to showcase my abilities as a free agent and put myself in a good position to have success in my pursuit to play professional football. I want thank the National Scouting Combine staff for giving players this unique chance to demonstrate their skills.”
Chris Bury
Chris BuryTE, Notre Dame
“I had a great experience at the combine. The whole staff was extremely positive and really wanted the best for all of the players that attended. Being that I was a free agent and a season removed from NFL camps it was crucial for me to get new numbers to show I was still working hard. My only opportunity so far came from a scout who attended the combine. As players that’s why we attend these events, to be seen by the pro levels. I’m very greatful for the opportunity that was came from the combine. I’ll be recommending it to every player possible in the future who’s looking to go pro.”
Dillon Salva
Dillon SalvaTE, Merrimack
My experience at the National Scouting Combine was an extremely positive one. Coming from a small school (Bryant University – Division I AA), opportunities to showcase my athleticism and measurables to pro scouts were scarce. However, Jimmy and his team gave me that opportunity when they put together a first-class event, in an outstanding venue and invited hundreds of players that had been overlooked or just wanted the opportunity to showcase their abilities. The connections, advice and coaching I received at the 2018 National Scouting Combine were priceless, as many pro scouts and coaches began to get in contact with me during and immediately after the combine. Jimmy and his team did an outstanding job of incorporating new, cutting edge technologies into the combine, while inviting well-respected coaches, scouts and former professional players to run the drills and provide coaching. Jimmy provided me with a platform to chase my dream of playing professional football that I would not otherwise have had, and in turn is part of the reason why many CFL teams took interest in me, why I was invited to Rookie Minicamps with the Jets and Texans and why I have now signed with the Orlando Apollo’s of the new Alliance of American Football League. The invitation to the 2018 National Scouting Combine was a blessing to me and my career and I would recommend any and all small school or overlooked college football player to attend and take advantage of this combine that, with Jimmy leading it, will continue to get better every single year.
Matt Sewell
Matt SewellWR, Bryant University
“My testimonial would be because of COVID-19, it has hindered my ability to showcase my talents at pro days, workouts, and tryouts. But, because of the NSC I can still send official numbers and video to each team, while also gaining the opportunity to meet scouts in face and build a relationship with them. Lastly, the NSC is second only to the NFL combine which helps me have something else to hang my hat on as one of the top performers!”
Jamal Ware
Jamal WareLB, Maryville College
“Thank you for the support and helping with promoting me for the next level. I am most definitely interested and my experience at the national scouting combine was incredible. It was my first official opportunity and it was a professional combine. All verified, legitimate laser times and numbers are vital to have especially in the times we are facing today. All of the coaches and personnel involved were professional in every aspect. It is such a blessing to have the opportunity to be apart of the national scouting combine and I can’t be more grateful to have verified numbers.”
Kyle Haines
Kyle HainesWR, Shippensburg
“First and foremost I would like to thank the NSC staff for giving me the opportunity to showcase my skills in front of scouts and allow myself to get relevant combine numbers. This combine is by far the best Combine I have been to. The rooms were great and the food that was provided by NSC was great as well. You can feel that they had a passion for helping those who may not have had an NFL Combine invite and others who are just chasing that opportunity. They were extremely supportive and willing to market the players in every way possible. I was beyond impressed with the testing once we got going. Everything was very organized and professional just as it should be. When it came to the testing they had both hand time and laser time which makes your test times that much more official. The number of scouts that attended the Scouting Combine was even better. This staff truly knows how to put together a legit A+ combine experience and was by far the best combine experience I have been a part of.”
Nolan Saraceni
Nolan SaraceniRB, Montana Tech
“I was fortunate enough to be a participant in the 2020 BSN Scouting Combine as it was an experience that I will surely never forget. Not only did it open opportunities for me to play football at the professional level, but it also shed light on my path to a football dream as an underdog. Not many athletes get this sort of opportunity and I am just blessed to have been apart of it.”
Tyler Anderson
Tyler AndersonRB, Thomas More University
Pursuing a career in professional football from a small school is a lonely path. A prospect may have the support of his peers, family, and teammates, but the process can be overwhelming and very confusing. Often times small school prospects don’t have access to the resources provided to prospects at football powerhouses. “How can I get myself in front of scouts? How can I prove to them that I can play at the next level?” These are only a few of the many questions that race through a potential prospects mind on a daily basis. The Beyond Sports Network National Combine helped simplify this process for many of the players that attended, including myself. Despite the combine being held for a few days, the information and services provided by the combine, as well as the sense of community between the staff members and prospects stood out to me. Every test that would be performed at the NFL combine was covered, every coach and staff member supported each prospect to an unbelievable extent, and the amount of scouts and agents in attendance and how interactive they were was impressive. The Beyond Sports Network National Scouting Combine was a critical step in attempting to take my talents to the next level. If you are a small school prospect with no clear path to the next level, the National Scouting Combine will certainly clear up the path for you.
Schnayder Termidor
Schnayder TermidorLB, Ithaca College
BSN gave me the platform I needed to be respected as a athlete. I came to there first Combine in 2010. I was pulled by every NFL, CFL scout. At that time there were a couple really good WRs including a SEC top WR who NFL scouts were coming to see. Once I put up good #s in my Testing Drills, we did one on ones. I showed my great covering skills to the point all the scouts herd the WRs talking and asking who was this guy. Then BSN promoted me and my numbers and I received workouts on all levels. I became a name in the business. Having legit numbers and respectable organization backing you is what you need. Everyone can say they can play and perform but coaches and scouts don’t believe you. BSN gives you the stage to perform and prove them wrong and get the opportunity you deserve. Because of BSN I was able to create a long professional career and when needed comeback to prove I could still play at a high level.
Cedeno Patrick
Cedeno PatrickLB, Delaware State
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