NEWS
Andrea Young
Posted: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 6:09 PM
ANDREA YOUNG
Courtesy of Sam Houston Race Park
Sam Houston Race Park
Andrea Young brought a background in professional sports to a leadership position in racing when she became chief operating officer of Sam Houston Race Park in Houston in 2007.
Young said people are too down on racing’s outlook and she believes the sport could pick up through a reduction in the number of races run.
“This is an industry that still has a lot of interest and potential,” Young said. “I am quick to dismiss anyone that thinks it is dead. However, there is too much product for the level of demand.
“In [professional basketball or hockey], there are 41 home games in each of the 30 markets each season. That’s the equivalent of about 12,300 horse races each year. Last year, there were [more than] 50,000 races run. With that type of supply, our product is suffering.”
Young, who said she is still working on the biggest achievement of her career, would like to see more tracks upgrade their facilities to provide customers with a better environment to enjoy the sport.
“We need to focus on delivering a quality product, which includes the product on the track and the consumer experience at the racetracks,” Young said. “These problems will take time to address, but I am encouraged by some of the more recent efforts being made throughout the industry.”
On January 12, 2009, Young was named president of Sam Houston while she continued in her chief operating officer position. She also serves as president and chief operating officer of Valley Race Park, a Harlingen, Texas, greyhound track.
Date of birth: April 11, 1978
Birthplace: Fairfax, Virginia
Residence: Houston
Title: President, chief operating officer
Company: Sam Houston Race Park
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Vanderbilt University
Family: Married, two children
Career: Joined Sam Houston after working for seven years with the Houston ¬Rockets of the National Basketball Association
Favorite horse: Student Council
What book are you currently reading? Things I Want My Daughters to Know, by Elizabeth Noble
Last movie you saw at the theater: Up in the Air
What’s on your iPod? Keith Urban, Michael Jackson, Fleetwood Mac, Zac Brown Band
Outside interests: Running, cycling, swimming, politics
Personal motto: “The race does not always go to the swift but to the ones who keep running.”
Best advice someone gave you: “Nobody cares more about your career than you.”
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