To this point, Warren has followed the model established by the National Interscholastic Cycling Association. NICA founder Matt Fritzinger initially created a high school mountain bike league composed of schools in Northern California in 2001. The idea took off, and in 2008 schools in Southern California created a sister organization and a race series. The movement continues to gain momentum as Colorado, Washington and Texas are in the initial stages of league formation.
NICA, founded last year, has strong industry support from Trek, Specialized, SRAM, Easton and Clif Bar. Its board members include the iconic Gary Fisher, mountain bike racers Dave Wiens and Kozo Shimano, among others. Its board president is Green Bay native and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduate Gary Boulanger.
Still it is unclear whether Wisconsin’s version will officially become a part of NICA. Membership in NICA requires a $25,000 startup investment. According to Warren, that one-time startup fee includes insurance, uniform templates, race support, training for coaches, and rider and coach summits.
“The league started out small in California and grew into an enormously successful statewide league of more than 500 students,” Warren said. “The key to success was parental involvement and the backing of the cycling community, including cycling professionals and bike companies, as well as a fundraising effort that provided the necessary funds to grow the league.”
To that end, Warren invited stakeholders interested in the formation of a Wisconsin High School Cycling Association (the name mandated by NICA) to a brainstorming session on April 7 in Fitchburg. There he outlined his goals to a group of 14 interested advocates and asked for input and support.
“One of the key objectives will be to provide both male and female students who have the desire to mountain bike with the coaching and camaraderie that will help them achieve both competitive and noncompetitive cross-country mountain biking goals in a safe and enjoyable manner,” Warren said.
He said the league will also guide students toward learning new skills and disciplines, foster responsible attitudes toward the use of trails and wilderness, and promote the value of cycling to Wisconsin communities, not only as a lifelong sport, but also as a valid mode of transportation.
Realistically, Warren aims to start small with students in grades 9 through 12 in the greater Madison area. “Ultimately, we want to open this league up to any high school student in the state, but that’s going to take time,” he said. There was strong sentiment expressed at the April 7 meeting for opening the door statewide sooner.
Warren’s initial goal was to host two high school-specific races and one state championship race in 2011. However, attendees at the Fitchburg meeting proposed a high school championship race as soon as this fall. It was suggested that the race be part of an existing mountain bike event, most likely a Wisconsin Off Road Series race. High school students from throughout Wisconsin would be invited to represent their schools and a state champion would be named.
Warren said he will continue to seek input from statewide advocates and industry representatives.
To get involved, either as a prospective high school racer or a “local champion” to support the cause, go to http://ow.ly/1vXEx and sign up. The information gathered through the website will help Warren and other planners gauge the level of interest in the league.
“Right now I am uncertain as to how quickly this idea will evolve and take hold,” Warren said. “But I am confident that high school mountain bike racing will exist in Wisconsin within the next few years.”
For more information, check out the Wisconsin High School Mountain Biking League fan page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Wisconsin-High-School-Mountain-Biking-league. To find out more about NICA, go to www.nationalmtb.org.
Ric Damm is a cycling enthusiast, competitive racer and general advocate of all things related to biking. He lives in Ripon, Wisconsin, where he is director of publications for Ripon College and head coach of the Ripon Red Hawks Cycling Team.
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