Themed Rides Industry Leaders of Louisville (THRILL @ UofL)

Engineering
THRILL is a student engineering organization at the University of Louisville's Speed School of Engineering dedicated to the amusement and themed entertainment industry. At our booth, visitors can explore how roller coasters are designed and built, try a professional coaster simulation, view scale models, and learn what it takes to engineer a ride from concept to opening day. We also compete in the national Ride Engineering Competition at Hersheypark each spring. Stop by to learn about THRILL and what a career in themed entertainment engineering looks like.

Themed Rides Industry Leaders of Louisville (THRILL @ UofL) project image
Themed Rides Industry of Leaders of Louisville (THRILL @ UofL) Maker Picture

Themed Rides Industry of Leaders of Louisville (THRILL @ UofL)

THRILL (Themed Rides Industry Leaders of Louisville) is a student engineering organization at the University of Louisville's Speed School of Engineering, founded in Fall 2026. Our 27+ members are mechanical, civil, and systems engineering students passionate about the amusement industry. In our first semester we registered a team for the national Ride Engineering Competition at Hersheypark 2027, launched a public education event series, and began publishing an industry newsletter. We exist to connect the next generation of ride engineers with the companies that inspire them. thrilluofl.org

Categories: Engineering, Engineering, Fun & Games, Kids & Family, Things That Go

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What inspired you to make this project?
THRILL was inspired by a simple observation: the amusement industry needs engineers, but most engineering programs have no pathway into it. Our founder Preston Koeninger spent years as a ride operator at Kings Island watching the engineering behind every dispatch, every block zone, every restraint check, and realized there was no student organization helping aspiring engineers make that connection. THRILL was built to fill that gap at the University of Louisville.

What are some of the challenges you have encountered and how did you address them?
As a brand new organization, our biggest challenge has been building credibility quickly. We addressed it by moving fast: securing a licensed structural engineer as faculty advisor, cold-emailing industry veterans like Dennis Spiegel who agreed to speak to our group, and registering for the national Ride Engineering Competition in our very first semester. Showing real action early helped attract serious members and serious industry partners.