Skip to main content

Appalachian Today

News and events at Appalachian State University
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact

An ‘Amazing Race’ for an App State Mountaineer alumnus

View larger image

Appalachian State University alumnus Frank Eaves ’16 carries a tray of drinks while balancing on a tightrope at a circus camp in Bogotá, Colombia — one of the circus stunts required of competitors on the 32nd season of CBS’ “The Amazing Race,” an Emmy Award-winning television reality series. Photo courtesy of CBS

View larger image

Appalachian State University alumnus and former Mountaineers basketball player Frank Eaves ’16, right, and his father, Jerry Eaves — a former NBA player and coach who is a current collegiate basketball coach and talk show host in Louisville, Kentucky. The two teamed up to appear on the 32nd season of “The Amazing Race,” currently airing on CBS. Photo courtesy of CBS

“At App State it was competitive on the basketball court and also in the classroom. That atmosphere and the skills I learned help me in what I do now — striving to do my best and contributing to the team.”

App State alumnus Frank Eaves ’16, a luxury automobile salesperson at Blue Grass Motorsport in Louisville, Kentucky

By Jan Todd
Posted Nov. 19, 2020 at 3:19 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University alumnus Frank Eaves ’16 tries to make every experience a winning experience — whether as a student-athlete, in his sales career or walking a tightrope as a competitor on “The Amazing Race,” an Emmy Award-winning television reality series.

“At App State it was competitive on the basketball court and also in the classroom. That atmosphere and the skills I learned help me in what I do now — striving to do my best and contributing to the team.”

App State alumnus Frank Eaves ’16, a luxury automobile salesperson at Blue Grass Motorsport in Louisville, Kentucky

Eaves, who earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration in management from App State, works at Blue Grass Motorsport in Louisville, Kentucky, where he specializes in selling luxury automobiles.

View larger image

Appalachian State University alumnus and former Mountaineers basketball player Frank Eaves ’16, right, and his father, Jerry Eaves — a former NBA player and coach who is a current collegiate basketball coach and talk show host in Louisville, Kentucky. The two teamed up to appear on the 32nd season of “The Amazing Race,” currently airing on CBS. Photo courtesy of CBS

He teamed up with his father, Jerry Eaves — a former NBA player and coach who is a current collegiate basketball coach and talk show host in Louisville — to appear on the 32nd season of “The Amazing Race,” currently airing on CBS.

On the show, 11 teams travel around the world, completing physical and mental challenges to find clues that lead them to their next destination. The team that arrives last at each episode’s final destination is eliminated from the competition.

Eaves and his father competed against teams that included former NFL players, professional volleyball players, Olympian track stars and an assortment of other adventure seekers. The Eaves team traveled to the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as Colombia and Brazil — performing challenges such as swimming in the ocean to locate underwater clues, racing with goats, performing circus stunts and searching for clues in a salt mine — before they were eliminated at the end of the third episode.

View larger image

Appalachian State University alumnus Frank Eaves ’16, pictured in the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago, races a goat to the finish line as a competitor on the 32nd season of CBS’ “The Amazing Race.” Photo courtesy of CBS

Participating in “The Amazing Race” was life-changing for Eaves, he said. “I was able to visit places in the world where people have very little. Seeing how happy they seemed with what they have … I feel like we’ve lost sight of that in the U.S. The experience opened my eyes to taking in every moment for what it is and being grateful.”

No stranger to competition

Prior to filming the show, Eaves was no stranger to competition. He played basketball for four seasons at App State and, during his senior year, he led the Mountaineers team with an average of more than 18 points per game. After graduating, he played professionally for the British Basketball League for a year.

Majoring in management with a minor in advanced entrepreneurship was a natural fit for him, Eaves said.

“I’ve always been business-minded and my goal is to run my own business,” he said. “Even as a kid, I’d try to think of ways to turn $10 into $20. Dr. Heather Dixon-Fowler was my favorite teacher and I had her for a number of classes.”

View larger image

Pictured in Trinidad, Appalachian State University alumnus Frank Eaves ’16, second from left, plays a tune on steel drums to complete a challenge during the first episode of the 32nd season of CBS’ “The Amazing Race.” His father, Jerry Eaves, who he partnered with for “The Amazing Race,” is pictured at far left. Photo courtesy of CBS

“I recognized early on that Frank had a competitive and creative drive . . . That, along with his entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic, was a combination I knew would contribute to his success in all aspects of life.”

Dr. Heather Dixon-Fowler, professor in and department chair of App State’s Department of Management

Dixon-Fowler, who is a professor in and department chair of App State’s Department of Management, helped Eaves secure a job shadowing opportunity at Blue Grass Motorsport.

“I recognized early on that Frank had a competitive and creative drive — both on and off the court,” Dixon-Fowler said. “That, along with his entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic, was a combination I knew would contribute to his success in all aspects of life.”

“Our classes were very real-world,” Eaves said. “We learned to write business plans and how to present in front of others and get certain messages across. We did surveys, got out in the community and applied the principles we were learning. I use those skills every day in my job, in the way I portray myself to my current and future customers.”

Eaves said his experiences as a Mountaineer and as an automobile salesperson are similar.

“My job is very competitive. Everyone has to be their best on a personal basis to make the team the best collectively. At App State it was competitive on the basketball court and also in the classroom. That atmosphere and the skills I learned help me in what I do now — striving to do my best and contributing to the team.”

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Management (BSBA)
Management (BSBA)

This degree teaches you vital leadership and interpersonal skills in managing people. Graduates go into management-trainee leadership development programs or are immediately hired and groomed for management positions.

Learn more

About the Department of Management

The Department of Management offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs to prepare students for managerial responsibilities in today’s dynamic environment. Learn more at https://management.appstate.edu.

About the Walker College of Business

The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact their communities, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling more than 4,000 undergraduates in 11 majors, Walker College has the highest enrollment of full-time undergraduate students in the University of North Carolina System, and more than 250 graduate students are enrolled in the college’s three master’s programs. App State’s Walker College is accredited by AACSB International — the premier global accrediting body for business schools. Learn more at https://business.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

“At App State it was competitive on the basketball court and also in the classroom. That atmosphere and the skills I learned help me in what I do now — striving to do my best and contributing to the team.”

App State alumnus Frank Eaves ’16, a luxury automobile salesperson at Blue Grass Motorsport in Louisville, Kentucky

“I recognized early on that Frank had a competitive and creative drive . . . That, along with his entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic, was a combination I knew would contribute to his success in all aspects of life.”

Dr. Heather Dixon-Fowler, professor in and department chair of App State’s Department of Management

Management (BSBA)
Management (BSBA)

This degree teaches you vital leadership and interpersonal skills in managing people. Graduates go into management-trainee leadership development programs or are immediately hired and groomed for management positions.

Learn more

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Global

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

Share

Topics

  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Global

Other Recent Posts

  • Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
    Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
  • Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
    Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
  • N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
    N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
  • App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
    App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
  • App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    WFDD
  • Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
    Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
  • App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
    App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
  • Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
    Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
  • $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
    $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
  • App State named Military Friendly School for 16th consecutive year, ranked a top 10 institution for 2025–26
    App State named Military Friendly School for 16th consecutive year, ranked a top 10 institution for 2025–26
  • Explore the future of business with new AI master’s degree tracks at App State
    Explore the future of business with new AI master’s degree tracks at App State
  • 12th annual iBackAPP Day of Giving draws over 3,100 App State supporters worldwide
    12th annual iBackAPP Day of Giving draws over 3,100 App State supporters worldwide

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2025 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
[email protected]

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat