| 12/10/2001 | USA Cycling announced the 2001 Club of the Year Awards, recognizing the top clubs from around the country. Honors were given to Division I, II and III clubs, as well as to the best groups with a focus on collegiate, junior, women’s and track cycling.
The USA Cycling Club of the Year Committee annually honors the top cycling clubs from all over the country for their dedication to excellence in competition, the growth of all cycling disciplines and the promotion of the sport. All of the clubs chosen for recognition in 2001 represent the well-balanced, solid programs that are beneficial to the cycling community. They boost the image of the sport of cycling, as well as make an impact on their communities through their involvement in racing and philanthropy.
The White Mountain Road Club is being presented with the Division I Club of the Year award. Based out of Phoenix, Ariz., the group promotes diverse programs including grassroots clinics, coaching activities, junior development and masters and women’s support programs. With 85 licensed members, the White Mountain Road Club is also strong in the areas of race promotion and community service. (www.wmrc.org)
The Division II Club of the Year is the Mercy Fitness Cycling Team from Fort Smith, Ark. The organization’s 40 members actively promote USCF and NORBA races statewide and have high levels of involvement with the local community to promote bicycle safety and helmet awareness. In addition to the club’s good deeds, they put in some great results during 2001, such as team member Brice Jones’ fifth place finish at the USCF Elite National Road Cycling Championships.
Olympia, Wash. based Rad Racing Northwest is awarded the Division III Club of the Year in recognition of its extensive junior development program and numerous community activities. Rad Racing’s 21 members are involved on the local level, hosting Muscular Dystrophy Association fund raisers and bike safety clinics. The group also had some impressive race performances in 2001. (www.radracingnw.org)
The 2001 Collegiate Club of the Year is the Texas A&M Cycling Team from College Station, Texas. The group’s 40 licensed members actively promote USCF and NORBA races, hold daily training rides and put on cyclocross clinics. The Aggie cyclists are also proactive in working to increase interest in the sport within the local community. (amct.tamu.edu)
Pennsylvania’s East Coast Velo is the 2001 Junior Development Club of the Year. With 52 members, the club’s mission is to promote and encourage road and track cycling development among junior and espoir riders. East Coast Velo is known for its work in building kids’ self esteem, offering a sense of community and encouraging members to set individual racing and life goals. The group is committed to race promotion and community involvement.
For the second consecutive year, Artemis has been named the Women’s Club of the Year. Located in Silver Spring, Md., the 29 members actively promote a criterium series for Cat. 3-4 women and encourage competitive cycling by hosting women’s introductory clinics. The organization makes an impact by providing support, instruction and guidance for female cyclists. (www.artemisracing.org)
The Memorial Hermann Junior Cycling Team is the 2001 winner of the Track Club of the Year. All 25 junior members train at the Alkek Velodrome in Houston, where they promote the Marty Nothstein Junior Olympic Track Series and host numerous track clinics and seminars. The club provides free coaching and training sessions for members, free entry fees to races at the velodrome, clothing, licenses, team track bikes and travel stipends for national championships. Coach Charlotte Miller is devoted to junior track development and represents the heart of the team.
Since no applications were received for the mountain bike or masters development categories, no awards were given.
The USA Cycling Club of the Year Awards recognize the outstanding efforts of cycling organizations to improve the opportunities for members and also involve their local communities. The winners serve as examples to the general public of how cyclists are not only dedicated athletes, but also committed to increasing knowledge and interest into one of the most up-and-coming sports in the world.www.usacycling.org
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