MARYVILLE – It’s official. Maryville College is adding cycling to its growing list of club sports. After recognizing an existing interest in the sport among the student body, the College’s Student Government Association approved the cycling club on Nov. 19.  But students weren’t alone in their desire to start seeing Maryville College on two wheels.

 “Given our location, Maryville College has an ideal setting for a cycling club,” said Brandon Bruce, whose full-time position at the four-year, liberal arts institution is as director of grants and gifts. An avid cyclist himself, Bruce saw a cycling club as a potential avenue for students, faculty and staff to collaborate, to get to know one another better, as well as get fit.

      “Maryville, Tennessee, enjoys mild, four-season weather, has miles of well-paved roads and well-cut trails for either road or mountain bike riding and a community of seasoned cyclists and cyclist-friendly businesses interested in this kind of activity,” he added.

      Jack Piepenbring, director of safety and security, couldn’t agree more.

      Piepenbring brings years of cycling experience and enthusiasm as a sponsor of the student club.

      “I’m excited about the opportunity to share my riding experience with colleagues and students,” he said. “If the cycling club exposes students, faculty and staff to a new way of incorporating fitness into their lives, or a new way of experiencing the beautiful environment we have, then we’ll have accomplished quite a lot.”

      Bruce, Piepenbring and Bruce Holt, the College’s director of counseling, have worked with students to put together a plan for the cycling club.

      “Serious conversations about a cycling club began early in the fall semester,” said Bruce. “Now that the club is approved and students are ready to ride, we hope the community will see MC cyclists on the road and the trails at the start of the spring semester.”

      Michae Musick, a first-year student from Maryville, Tenn., said she plans to join.

      “The bike club will provide groups for cyclists at the school to not only ride safely with but also challenge and support one another,” she said. “My hope is that having a bike club will not only give current riders a solid community in which to improve athleticism but also help those interested in biking get involved in the sport.”

      Conversations have begun with Cycology, a bike shop located just a few miles from the College, regarding involvement with the MC Cycling Club, and the College is hopeful about getting several other businesses engaged as sponsors. Over the years, alumni have requested that the MC bookstore look into an MC cycling jersey. With a cycling club, those alums may soon get their wish.

      Initial plans for the club focus primarily on building a healthy community of riders who regularly get out and ride together. But with continued interest and growth of the cycling club, there are visions of competitive riding, joining the National Collegiate Cycling Association (NCCA) and attending races as early as next fall. The club may also look into participating in cyclo-cross activities.

      The College also hopes that with an additional club sport filled with student enthusiasts, the cycling club will become another attraction for prospective students.

      Other club sports offered at Maryville College include equestrian, swimming, dance and ultimate Frisbee®.