NICA announces high school cycling league in Arizona

High school cycling programs now in nine states

Press Release. For immediate release. 

Contact: Paul Skilbeck paul@nationalmtb.org 415.516.1444

BERKELEY, Calif. – The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) a youth development organization governing high school mountain biking in the United States, today announced the Arizona High School Cycling League as one of three new leagues in its expanding national program. Arizona's entry into the national association marks a significant step towards NICA’s mission of providing high school mountain biking coast to coast by 2020.

The Arizona League, based in Scottsdale, brings the NICA movement to 10 leagues, spanning 9 states, including (in chronological order): California, Colorado, Washington, Texas, Utah, Minnesota, and the 2012 inductees Tennessee, New York and Arizona.

“We are pleased to welcome the Arizona league into the flourishing NICA community,” said Doug Selee, executive director of NICA. “Arizona brings with them a great passion for mountain biking and a love of youth development. Moving forward, our national NICA team will provide training and support as they prepare for their inaugural season in 2013.”

Mike Perry, director of the Arizona league, said, “We are really excited to be working with NICA to bring organized high school mountain bike racing to Arizona. NICA has a proven formula in other states and the Arizona team is primed to carry forward those principles and values.”

The Arizona League management team will work closely with NICA staff to replicate the existing high school student cycling programs, which promote strong mind, body and character through mountain biking. Support from NICA will include a wide range of educational and training services geared to both a successful first season and a sustainable program.

Thanks to generous sponsorships from founding league sponsor Pivot Cycles, as well as Epic Rides, DNA Cycles, Mountain Bike Association of Arizona, Empire Cat, STI Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation and Vassago Bicycles, the Arizona league is making a flying start.

Top of the agenda now for the Arizona League is its inaugural annual Leaders’ Summit, a two-day conference for coaches, which will take place in spring 2013 near Phoenix. Arizona's first high school mountain bike racing season will commence in fall of 2013.

To find out more about the Arizona High School Cycling League, contact Mike Perry at mike@arizonamtb.org or go to www.arizonamtb.org.

About The National Interscholastic Cycling Association

Founded in 2009, The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) is the National Governing Body for grades 9-12 interscholastic mountain biking and fosters the development of high quality competitive cross-country mountain biking programming for high school aged athletes. NICA provides leadership, governance and program support to promote the development of interscholastic Mountain Biking Leagues throughout the United States. NICA exists by virtue of generous donors and sponsors including the founding national sponsor, Specialized Bicycle Components, as well as Easton Foundations, SRAM, Trek Bicycles, Clif Bar and Co., Primal Wear, Shimano, GU Sports, Kinetic, Maxxis, adidas Eyewear, CamelBak, Crank Brothers, Dirt Rag, Feedback Sports, Fort Lewis College, Fox Racing Shox, Mellow Johnny's, Mountain Bike Action, QBP, Ritchey Designs, WTB,and Yakima. For more information on NICA visit www.nationalmtb.org or call 510.524.5464.

Doug Selee (executive director, NICA), Mike Perry (director, Arizona), Rick Spittler (president, NICA). Credit: PB Creative