All Access Coach Leasing pledges $250K to MTSU student coaching center

Middle Tennessee State University has received a $250,000 pledge from All Access Coach Leasing to support the daily operations of its Center for Student Coaching and Success and establish a new speaker series designed to inspire students as they prepare for their careers.

The donation was announced Tuesday, October 6, during an event at the Miller Education Center on Bell Street in Murfreesboro. The center, part of MTSU's College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, provides personalized coaching to help students identify their strengths, develop professional skills and secure employment in their chosen fields before graduation.

Eric Blankenship, co-owner of Gallatin-based All Access Coach Leasing, attended the announcement alongside Center Director Colby Jubenville, MTSU Trustee and Ole South Properties founder John Floyd, MTSU men's tennis coach Jimmy Borendame and other university representatives.

Following the announcement, Blankenship participated in a live coaching session and question-and-answer discussion with students. The conversation, moderated by Jubenville, focused on entrepreneurship, overcoming obstacles and achieving professional success.

Peter Grandjean, dean of MTSU's College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, praised Blankenship's commitment to helping students discover their potential.

“Eric Blankenship has a remarkable ability to recognize an opportunity, even when the path before him does not unfold exactly as planned. He has used his God-given talents, determination and entrepreneurial spirit to build a successful business and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others,” Grandjean said.

Grandjean added that the donation reflects Blankenship's willingness to use his success to create opportunities for the next generation.

The Center for Student Coaching and Success offers students a combination of individual, group, peer and online coaching sessions. Participants complete assessments and work with coaches through a Talent Development Framework that focuses on emotional intelligence, personal branding, relationships, growth mindset and industry knowledge.

The newly funded speaker series is scheduled to launch in January and will bring professionals from various industries to campus to share their experiences and demonstrate how unexpected challenges can lead to new opportunities.

Blankenship's own career provides an example of that philosophy.

More than three decades ago, he moved to Nashville hoping to become a professional singer. When his music career did not develop as planned, he began selling T-shirts on tour and eventually became a driver for touring entertainers.

Those experiences led him to establish All Access Coach Leasing with business partner Jim Borelli. The company provides luxury tour buses and transportation services for professional entertainers, including premium coaches, professional drivers, maintenance, repairs and cleaning services.

Today, All Access employs 117 people across several departments, including mechanical services, coach construction, painting, interior repairs and laundry operations.

Despite building a successful transportation company, Blankenship never abandoned his original dream of performing. In April 2025, more than 30 years after arriving in Nashville, he made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage.

His relationship with MTSU began about a decade ago when he met Jubenville during a flight. Their conversation developed into a professional relationship, with Jubenville eventually providing coaching services to All Access employees and meeting regularly with Blankenship for several years.

“Ten years ago, I sat down next to a stranger on an airplane, and it turned into one of the most meaningful relationships of my life,” Jubenville said. “Eric came to Nashville with a dream, built a business when the plan fell apart, and 33 years later stood on the Opry stage. That is what trajectory change looks like.”

Jubenville said Blankenship's contribution will help fund the center's operations, support the new speaker series and provide additional resources to students developing their own career paths.

Blankenship hopes his donation will encourage students to recognize the value of persistence and hard work.

“I hope it allows extra time and effort from outside people we've talked about bringing in who can show that generation that with hard work, dedication, and not giving up, you can do anything you put your mind to,” Blankenship said. “I've said all along, I'm not the smartest man in the room, but you're not going to outwork me.”

The center has already helped students navigate challenges and pursue careers that combine their interests and talents.

One example is MTSU graduate Kylie Dykgraaf, who initially struggled with choosing a single career direction. After working with Jubenville, she learned to embrace her multiple interests and develop a professional path that reflected her strengths.

Dykgraaf graduated in 2022 with degrees in exercise science and psychology. A scholarship from the center helped cover her educational expenses after hip surgery ended her volleyball career and athletic scholarship.

“I had so many interests and felt that I had to choose one path, being the correct path,” Dykgraaf said. “However, after coaching sessions with Dr. J, he encouraged me to create my own unique path rather than fit into the box that many schools create for students.”

She later earned a master's degree in kinesiology with a concentration in sport and exercise psychology. Today, she owns The Confident Athlete Coach LLC, a mental performance coaching business, and serves as director of the Illinois Juniors Volleyball Club.

The Center for Student Coaching and Success originally opened February 21, 2017, following a $1 million pledge from John Floyd, founder of Ole South Properties and a member of the MTSU Board of Trustees.

Students accepted into the center who are actively completing the coaching program may also qualify for the John D. Floyd Scholarship. Awards range from $500 to $3,000, with applications available through the MTSU Scholarship Portal before the annual spring deadline.

With the additional $250,000 commitment from All Access Coach Leasing, the university plans to expand opportunities for students to connect with experienced professionals, strengthen their career development skills and prepare for life after graduation.

For more information about MTSU's Center for Student Coaching and Success, visit https://cbhssuccess.mtsu.edu.

Additional information about All Access Coach Leasing is available at https://allaccesscoach.com.