The University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program today announced the creation of the Dave Johnson & William "Bill" Fisher Scholarship Award to support RTIP students pursuing their goal of a career in the business side of the industry, such as track management, publicity, announcing, etc.

The annually awarded scholarship is sponsored by retired track announcer, Dave Johnson, whose signature (and trademarked) call “and down the stretch they come!” is known by racing fans the world over.

Johnson not only wanted to support the future leaders of the racing industry but also honour his good friend, the late William “Bill” Fisher, treasurer and general manager of Hialeah Park before he retired. Fisher was instrumental in furthering Johnson’s career in racing through the creation of this scholarship. Fisher spotted Johnson’s talent at Fairmount Park and Cahokia Downs and hired him for the Hialeah Park meet in 1971. And as it is said, “The rest is history.”

“We couldn’t be more excited that Dave selected the RTIP’s scholarship program as a way to support the industry while honouring William Fisher,” said Wendy Davis, Director of the RTIP. “It’s incredibly gratifying to see the level of support from industry leaders for the next generation of racing executives.”

(University of Arizona)