August 10, 2007

Lindenwood Athletics Adds Two Programs

Lindenwood is among the collegiate leaders in the United States in the number of athletic opportunities available for its students. That number will grow this year after the school announced today that it is adding men’s and women’s cycling to its varsity sports roster.

Cycling is a great fit for the Lindenwood campus as it is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. It is also very popular in Missouri, as evidence by the Tour of Missouri race in September, which has two stages in the St. Louis area.

Darren Marhanka, who will serve as the head coach of both teams, brought cycling to Lindenwood last school year as a club sport. After the success of those riders last spring, the school decided to elevate the two sports from their club status.

“I am very excited about the implementation of the cycling program at Lindenwood,” said Marhanka. “Cycling is one of the nation’s fastest growing sports and it will be a great opportunity for students to participate in this growing sport while attending a high-quality university.”

The Lions and Lady Lions will compete in the Midwest Collegiate Cycling Conference (MWCCC), which includes around 60 schools throughout the midwest. The MWCCC is one of 10 conferences that compete in the USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships every May.

“The goal is for my student-athletes to be the best they can, especially when it comes to academics,” said Marhanka. “Down the road, I want Lindenwood to become the premium cycling school in the Midwest.”

With the addition of men’s and women’s cycling, Lindenwood now has 40 athletics programs. Those programs are highly successful, winning 24 national championships since 2001-02.