Monster Jam University, it sounds mega dope; sort of like a rad 80’s film, but what is it really? (Because unfortunately it is not a comedy about a ragtag group of friends attending a singing monster college together.) But moving on from that sweet movie idea…have you ever wondered how someone begins a career with Monster Jam? I mean, how exactly does one start their journey into the Monster Jam world of flips, donuts, cyclones and 10,000 pound trucks? Well, it all begins at the amazing Monster Jam University.
Monster Jam University is a term used by Monster Jam. It is what they call their training facility located at the Team Meents shop in Paxton, IL. Legendary driver Tom Meents is the head instructor. It originally began in 2014 to train the drivers of the More Monster Jam tour. Since that time all the drivers of the Triple Threat Series have trained there, as well as all incoming Monster Jam rookie drivers.
Now you’ve all seen the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, but there is so much more to learn about Monster Jam University. So, do you want to hang out and see the rest of this Monster iceberg? I sure hope so, so get comfortable y’all because we’re headed to MJU (not literally of course, it’s only going to be a literary journey.)
The Early Days and the Noise Complaints
When Monster Jam University first started out at Team Meents shop there were a few neighbors who weren’t too pleased with the noise. Tom never began training before 9 am and he never trained after 5 pm and the trucks had mufflers, but there were still a few people who complained. Tom eventually had to order heavy duty, industrial grade mufflers to help silence the trucks and it seems that most of the complaints have calmed down since then.
I think many of Paxton’s residents came around to Monster Jam University when they realized how much money is brought into their community. Local restaurants and inns began to be frequented by Monster Jam drivers. In fact, during the very first session of MJU the attending drivers spent $1,700 at the local Tin Pan restaurant. They also rented out about 12 rooms at the Paxton Inn motel.
When Meents was first interviewed about the training facility he said, “I love this town, and I’m really excited about all the positive income that we’ve brought into the community. I think it has been a very positive impact to the community. I really like that part of it. I love bringing new business into this town. It needs it, and I have no problem doing that. It’s cool that something that’s this worldwide of a phenomenon is able to spend money in Paxton.”
Considering MJU has been around for about 5 years now I’d say that this “positive impact to the community” is here to stay.
Safety and Skills and Monster Jam University
“Oftentimes, the best way to learn is from your failures. So let’s get out there and start failing.” Tom Meents aka “The Professor”
Drivers and technicians that attend Monster Jam University learn and practice many different skills. Technicians get experience working with real monster trucks and the chance to learn from Monster Jam professionals. Drivers practice things like driving with one hand so the other can be on the toggle that controls the back of the truck. They also have to practice driving with both feet, using the break and throttle almost simultaneously. Some drivers have even worked with ATV’s and Speedsters whilst at the training facility.
It takes a lot of skill to drive for Monster Jam, even if the drivers you see look like they are just going wild and crazy in the arena there is a lot of control that goes into performing those tricks. In fact the first thing the drivers focus on at Monster Jam University is safety. “I suppose that when a bunch of ‘roided-out trucks with 66-inch tires and alky big-blocks start popping wheelies on a dirt track the size of a hockey rink, you’ve got to have some ground rules.” said Ezra Dyer, a journalist for Car and Driver, who went behind the scenes at MJU.
It’s all about safety, safety, safety…and then learning some awesome tricks.
Anyone who knows anything about Monster Jam knows how important a good trick is. Monster Jam drivers are always challenged to go a little faster, a little higher, and a little harder than the driver ahead of them and for those who train at MJU they get a chance to practice all of this with one of the all time Monster Jam greats coaching and guiding them along.
Speaking of Monster Jam greats, along with Tom Meents both Charlie Pauken and Jon Zimmer have also worked as instructors as Monster Jam University.
Working Hard Outside the Truck
It isn’t enough for the drivers attending Monster Jam University to just hone their driving skills. They also need to make sure that they, themselves are in peak performance shape.
Among other various exercises the drivers attending MJU also participate in monster truck pulling.
Yeah, you read that right–monster truck pulling.
Monster truck pulling is exactly what it sounds like…a group of drivers pull a monster truck with a 10 meter rope attached to the front. That’s insane you guys, monster trucks are super heavy, 10,000-12,000 pounds remember? Yeah there’s a group of them doing it together but there’s still no way that’s easy. So let’s take a moment and give a round of applause to everyone who has attended MJU and pulled a monster truck around.
(insert slow clap)
Monster Jam University and UNOH
Recently Monster Jam partnered with the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) to launch Monster Jam University powered by UNOH. UNOH will become an official sponsor of Monster Jam University.
This partnership will give one lucky UNOH student the chance to attend Monster Jam University and use the knowledge and skills they acquired in college in a real world situation. It will also provide 20 scholarships to incoming UNOH students. Many UNOH students go on to have jobs with Monster Jam so this is an excellent partnership and an awesome path for anyone with dreams of working as a Monster Jam technician.
Related Questions
Can anyone attend Monster Jam University?
While most drivers who end up attending Monster Jam University are invited there by Monster Jam anyone can send in an application. Monster Jam often finds people involved in other types of racing, such as motocross or drag racing, to attend MJU put that doesn’t mean a self starter has no chance at getting in. So if you’re interested, fill out an application, you never know what could happen.
Oh and MJU isn’t just for rookie drivers, it is also open to all drivers, even experienced ones who have been driving for Monster Jam for a while. It is a great place for anyone to perfect their craft.
How do you start a career in monster truck driving?
One of the best ways to get into the world of monster truck driving is to immerse yourself in the world of monster truck driving. Attend any and all events you can; attend the pit parties and volunteer to help set up or clean up. Many drivers for Monster Jam started out working on another drivers crew. Any opportunity you can find to get your foot in the door is an opportunity worth taking if you want to one day drive professionally.
Many drivers also got their start when they finished building their own monster truck. So, if you have the skills and the means to create your own monster–do it. Build your monster, enter every competition you can and win as much as you can. Do what it takes to be seen so you can get noticed by Monster Jam and get that Monster Jam University invitation.
*Oh and if anyone feels like turning my awesome movie idea into the real deal, have at it…my singing monster college dream is your next billion dollar blockbuster for the taking
