Bridging the Gap Lees-McRae gears up for innovative academic program in bicycling studies This January, Lees-McRae College added an innovative new minor program of study in bicycling studies to the curriculum that will give riders and non-riders alike the chance to pursue careers in the multibillion dollar cycling industry. This new addition to the curriculum positions Lees-McRae as the only college in the eastern United States to offer a unique academic-based program in bicycling studies. So why study cycling? Fueled by the vision of new college president, Dr. Barry M. Buxton, a self-proclaimed cycling enthusiast who often rides with members of the team, this new minor program in bicycling studies will allow graduates to enter the professional cycling world after college, whether it’s on or off the bike. Annual growth rates are projected at 10 to 25 percent worldwide, the global bicycle market shows significant growth revenues exceeding $61 billion through 2011, according to a blog at seekingalpha.com. “We want to give our cyclists another avenue in which to explore the ever-growing and dynamic world of cycling. Our students are talented riders and mechanics, and we want to provide them with opportunities outside of team racing,” said President Barry M. Buxton. “With the College’s new cycling minor in place, our graduates can be extremely competitive in the cycling industry as coaches, managers, officials, planners, ream directors, designers, promoters, trainers, etc. “As our sport continues to grow, we are seeing more and more cyclingrelated employment opportunities both on and off the bike,” said USA Cycling CEO Steve Johnson. “Programs in cycling education, such as Lees-McRae’s, will be instrumental in providing both the qualified personnel to meet the industry’s growing demands, and to continue building professionalism in our sport and industry.” Students in the program will learn the history and principles of bicycling; obtain skills needed to integrate cycling into the environment, city planning and recreation tourism; envision and develop a realized cycling-related business and synthesize the sport of cycling. This program will position graduates to obtain positions in fields such as team management, bicycle design, coaching, education, urban design, training, retail, planning, event promotion, marketing and more. “This minor will be a great extension of Lees McRae’s wildly successful cycling program, and it’s yet another sign of cycling’s growing presence in the vocabulary of American sports; in particular inter-collegiate athletics. I look forward to working with the future graduates of this program down the road, who I’m sure will be successful leaders in the world of cycling,” said USA Cycling Collegiate Program Manager Jeffrey Hansen. Identified goals of the program include promoting the art and science of the bicycling industry, providing quality education to support the knowledge and skills of bicycling competitors and enthusiasts, promoting bicycle safety and preparing future generations of bicyclists. “Cycling is a passion of mine but it goes beyond the bike as well. With having the cycling minor in place, it provides a path filled with 24 | The Pinnacles Winter/Spring 2010-11
opportunities in every aspect of cycling that allows me to secure a career in cycling beyond riding the bike, allowing cycling to always be a major part of my life,” said Nate Weston, a member of the Bobcat Cycling Team, and the first student to enroll in the Bicycling Minor. Courses that make up the program range from History and Principles of Bicycling to Business and Economics of Sports and from Nutrition and Athletic Performance to Creativity and Innovation. Students will also complete a field study in cycling and an internship in cycling before graduation. Lees-McRae College’s cycling team won its first national title in 2003 while competing at the Division II level. In the fall of 2006, the team petitioned, and was granted admission, to compete at the Division I level. The Bobcats won their first Division I national title that same year. “It is exciting to see the dream that began with Coach Sean McAndrew now develop into this amazing program. In 2006 when we took the program to the Division I level, it was only in my wildest dreams that one day the school would embrace cycling in this manner. It is so innovative and is what our country needs to move into the next decade,” said Doug Owen, former head coach of the cycling team and chair of Lees-McRae’s Cycling Advisory Board. “President Buxton’s vision is one I hope will become addictive to others around the collegiate community. The students are our future; we should all be doing everything we can do to prepare them for theirs.” Seven years and 10 national titles later, Lees-McRae’s Cycling Team continues to compete against the best collegiate teams in the country and to win individual and team championships each year. Noted alumni of the program include Brent Bookwalter (BMC Racing Team), Aaron Bradford (OnSite Racing), Ally Stacher (HTC-Columbia), Scott Stewart (Team Type 1), and Andrew Talansky (Garmin-Cervelo), among others.