Bringing back old traditions has been a major goal of the chapter since the 2001 re-chartering. One of the most cherished traditions is the Little 500 race. Seniors Nate Moorhouse and Adam Niemand, and Sophomores Jeffrey Schwab and Eric Boswell have been hard at work since early in the summer to get into shape for the annual bike race at Indiana University. “Our team has been hard at work all year to try and bring a trophy to the Phi Sig house,” said Schwab.
Members of the team ride together daily around Bloomington and surrounding towns for an average of 25-30 miles per day. With the help of the house, the team has been able to purchase rollers for indoor use during the winter, and members can be frequently seen in the Formal Lounge riding on their rollers while watching highlights of the Tour de France or “Breaking Away” on the big screen TV. “Over winter break, every rider is taking their rollers and bike home with them to continue their training back in their own town,” remarked Schwab.
Winter weather has limited the team to mostly indoor training lately, but when the roads are dry, the team bundles up and braves sub 40 degree weather just to get a ride or two outside in per week. “Each member is keeping a training log and reporting to team captain Nate Moorhouse every week,” said sophomore rider Eric Boswell.
Moorhouse, who is majoring in history and planning on going to law school after graduation, was the driving force behind organizing the team this year. Once the cold dissipates, the Phi Sig cycling team will be outdoors once again, riding every day to get into their best shape before rookie week in February. “From then on, the team will be training almost daily on the Little 500 track, working on their exchanges and getting together a good team strategy,” said Boswell.
During spring break the team is taking their bikes down to Grand Council member Doug Diekow’s house in Florida to train. “We are going all out for that week before we slowly cut down our training in preparation for race day,” commented Schwab. “The team’s goal is to finish in the top ten, although a few of the members will be dissatisfied to walk out of Bill Armstrong stadium without trophy in hand.”
The team, which is all rookies, is looking to surprise the experienced competition on the shoulders of Moorhouse and Schwab, who will carry brunt of the race. Boswell will be the team sprinter, going in for 3-4 laps at full speed and then coming out, and Niemand will be doing a bit of everything and riding for about a quarter of the race. “The race takes place on April 16,” said Senior Adam Niemand. Niemand, who leads the chapter in scholarship with a 4.0 GPA, is very exited for race day to come. “The team and the house will appreciate all the support and cheering we can get, so please come out and watch the race!”
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