National Interscholastic Cycling Association

2. National Interscholastic Cycling Association Gary is the Founding Director for the Minnesota High School Cycling League - MN is a “Project League” of NICA - Operates under the nonprofit umbrella of NICA MN League Founding Sponsors: Penn Cycle, Pat Sorensen Erik’s Bikes and Boards, Erik Saltvold QBP a national sponsor of NICA

3. MN League’s Inaugural Season Season Snapshot • 160 racers • 15 teams • 4 – race schedule • 5 Try It Outs • 4 Race4Free • Awards Banquet

4. MN League Awards Party

5. A Word about our Student Athletes • Typically not ball and stick participants • If past team experience, generally not positive • Kids “adrift” find the league to be social and a place to build self-esteem “I can’t tell you how happy we are with this league. We’ve tried so many things with our son that never fit. He loves this and now rides his bike every day. He can’t wait for the races. We bought mountain bikes, too!” Mother of a Prior Lake racer

6. NICA’s Influence on Youth More than 50 high schools in CA have mountain bike racing programs (40 new teams in 2013) More student athletes racing mountain bikes in Marin County than play football • 25% of the student athletes racing are girls • 95% of student athletes report health and fitness benefits from participation in NICA • 67% of students bring fathers into mountain biking/37% bring mothers in

8. Minnesota High School Cycling League Official MN High School Cycling League site is www.minnesotamtb.org MN League basically a franchise of NICA - similar web sites, standards, fees, etc. Minnesota High School “Cycling” League – the intention is students will start with mountain biking but expand to road, cyclocross, commuting, etc.

9. NICA Provides Great Graphics • NICA provides tents, banners, table covers, flags • All materials professionally done with league and NICA logos • Award podium banners, finish and start line banners also provided “This is really impressive! The program is well run and looks better than national races I’ve attended. This is going to grow like crazy.” High School Administrator, District 196

14. MN League Timeline Leaders Summit – April Teams Form – Spring Camps – Summer 2013 Racing Schedule: Race 1 Sept. 8 Race 2 Sept. 22 Race 3 Sept. 29 Race 4 Oct. 13 Race 5 Oct. 27 Awards Banquet in November

15. Typical Race Weekend Snapshot Saturday: - Course set up 7 am to Noon - Pre-ride 1 to 4 pm - Camping available on site or nearby Sunday: - Teams set up in Pit Zone - Racing starts at 10 am - Girls Varsity, JV, Soph, Freshmen - Boys Varsity, JV, Soph, Freshmen - Awards around 4 pm

16. Race Format Courses are between 4 and 6-mile loops, mostly singletrack, with passing zones Climbing 400/600 ft. per lap Courses routed to provide visibility for coaches and parents

17. Race Format, cont. Other Features: • Uphill starts/finish spread racers out intentionally • Fenced through start/finish, feed zone, pit area • Feed Zones clearly marked • Onsite WiFi allows parents to check lap times • Will move to chip timing as league grows

18. Race Format, cont. Race lengths: • Freshmen/Sophmores – two laps (30 minutes) • Junior Varsity – three laps (45 minutes) • Varsity – 4+ laps (1:45 minutes) • Racers must petition to race varsity • Opening races flatter, with fewer technical challenges • Season Championship race lots of climbing and technical elements

20. Teams and Scoring Students can race: - As independents - As part of a high school team - Composite team; racers from several schools Teams with girls score more points Awards: - Individuals - Team scoring

21. MN League Jersey Policy • Primal a national sponsor for NICA and provides each league with jerseys • Leader’s Jerseys given to class leaders • MN League policy is to not allow company or manufacturer logos on racing jerseys • MN League team jerseys worn in races can only have school name or mascot (small manufacturer logo ok)

24. Coaches NICA has a licensing program for coaches - Ride Leader - Assistant Coach - Head Coach - Team Director Minimum requirement of any adult/parent working with the team is a background check available on www.minnesotamtb.org

25. Coaching, cont. • Majority of license requirements for coaches can be met at two-day Leader’s Summit • Focus on coaching youth, working with girls, risk mitigation, on-the-bike skills • Coaches also need Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification • Coaches have one year to secure license requirements

26. Quick Look at Fees Student Athletes: $50 to join the MN League (provides insurance) $40 per race ($160 – scholarships available) Coaches: $25 fee to join the MN League Team Registration: $125 for teams under 12 racers $250 for teams with 12 racers or more

27. MN League Teams Formed in 2012 Composite Teams Burnsville/Lakeville, Rochester, Hutchinson, East Metro, High School Teams Roseville, Minnetonka, Anoka, Prior Lake, Washburn, Hopkins, White Bear Lake District 196 – includes Apple Valley, Eagan, Rosemount, and Eastview

28. Community Education a Great Resource • Comm Ed departments in metro area helped form teams • Interviewed and hired coaches • Helped recruit riders via print and web presence • Bundled fees for single registration of all four races • Provided vans for transportation to races • Minnetonka’s Comm Ed a great resource • Anna Malmquist can answer questions about how they formed the Minnetonka team

29. Ways to Help with the MN League Opportunities to help: 1. As a parent of a student athlete who wants to race on a team 2. As a member of the Race Crew (volunteers) 3. Become part of the Core Staff for the MN League

30. Helping as a Parent for a Team • Help students form a team at the high school • Team Starter Kits available on web site • Teams exist as a “club” like Chess Club or Debate • Help by becoming a Team Director • Help register racers, pay fees, track results (Pit Zone) • On race day, help with team logistics at event • Help by becoming a Ride Leader, Assistant Coach, or Head Coach for a team • Attend Leaders Summit and gain license • Minimum requirement is passing a background check • Coaches have one year to achieve licensing

31. Helping Students Start a Team • Find several parents willing to help • Talk to school teachers or coaches • Help students organize an informational meeting • Helps if meeting can occur at a high school or bike shop • Get names, addresses, email, etc. to start communication flow • Second meetings can outline costs, schedules, identify coaches, etc.

32. Becoming a Team Director • Pit Zone is the MN League’s online database system • Team Directors input team and coach information • TDs also help individual students register for races and pay league fees through Pit Zone

34. Helping as a Race Crew Member • Race Crew made up of 60 to 70 volunteers who help run the races • Variety of tasks (3 or 4 hours each) • Can sign up in advance for specific tasks and specific times through Volunteerspot • Tasks include race course set up, course marshals, crowd control, starting and finishing line support, apparel sales, etc. • Race crew volunteer get food/drink/t-shirt • Tasks on both Saturdays and Sundays

37. Leagues Need Donors Funding will come from sponsorships, league and race fees, apparel sales, etc. Always present need for individual donors Contributions to leagues are tax-deductible

38. Testimonials Gary and the NICA Team have done an outstanding job at starting up a new high school sport that I expect to thrive. I could not be more pleased with their work to provide kids with the opportunity to participate in a new and different sport that is welcoming of beginner athletes and something they can participate in for a lifetime. Jerry Pomije, QBP Vice President

39. Testimonials At Erik's, we think the NICA leagues are an awesome investment in the future of mountain biking.  Not only is it a great sport for these high school students , but we see entire families getting into the sport due to their kids involvement. It's a great combination! Erik Saltvold, Owner and Founder, Erik’s Bikes and Boards

40. Testimonials “We are really incredibly lucky to have NICA's High School Mountain Bike League here in Minnesota.  Gary Sjoquist and his team put on a great race series, with solid coaching and a level of professionalism that rivals some national bike races.  By helping these kids today, we're building a solid youthful customer base for all bike shops to benefit from in the future.” Pat Sorensen, President, Penn Cycles, Inc.

45. Helping as MN League Core Staff Core Staff positions for MN League: • Race Director - Chief Referee • Operations Manager - Timing and Scoring Chief • Chief Course Setter - EMT Liaison • Chief Course Marshal - Coaching Coordinator • Registration Chief - Race Photographer • Race Photographer - Volunteer Coordinator

46. Core Staff, cont. • Core Staff a significant commitment to the league • Often requires most of day Saturday and all day Sunday • NICA provides guidelines/tutoring for Core Staff positions • Some compensation available for Core Staff • Mileage expenses • Hotels, meals • Stipend

47. FAQs • Can I letter? • Do I have to quit my Fall sport? • Isn’t it expensive? • What if I don’t have a bike? • Is it dangerous?

48. Action Steps • Host a meeting to see who’s interested - flyers, posters, available • Sjoquist will come and talk about forming a team, what the racing is like, etc. • Need three or four adults/parents to help get things going • Jersey Update • Parents interested in becoming a Ride Leader, Assistant Coach, or Head Coach should attend Leaders Summit in April • Web site has tons of info

49. Action Steps, cont. • High school league will offer Try It Out sessions during May, June, and July • No cost, bikes and helmets provided, easy first ride • Check MNMBS site for statewide series schedule in May/June/July • MNMBS sponsors high school league via Race4Free • Important for new racers to experience mtb racing in MNMBS to recruit other students before school is out in June • Watch for Summer Camps

50. Think About This…