13 universities with varsity cycling scholarships & teams

There are only 13 USA Cycling-recognized varsity teams in the United States. Unlike cycling clubs, these teams are headed by licensed USA Cycling coaches and receive more funding from their respective schools. Not all have scholarships, but many do.

Varsity Cycling Requirements

Cycling teams that want to be recognized as varsity programs by USA Cycling must meet at least three of the following criteria:

Awards no less than $10,000 in athlete scholarships annually

Team shoulders entry fees of most collegiate races

Participates in at least two USA Cycling Collegiate National Championships annually

Recognized as a varsity program by the school

Brevard College, Brevard, North Carolina

The Brevard College cycling team meets all four of the criteria set by USA Cycling. It is headed by Coach Brian Sheedy. It participates in Division II athletics.

Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, Colorado

The Colorado Mesa Mavericks cycling team offers scholarships to its athletes, takes care of race entry fees and has participated in numerous national championships. It is headed by Coach Rick Crawford and participates in Division I athletics.

Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee

Just like Brevard college, Cumberland University’s cycling team also meets all four of USA Cycling’s requirements. It is headed by Coach Tim Hall and competes in Division I athletics.

Fort Lewis College, Fort Lewis, Colorado

The Fort Lewis College cycling team, just like the Colorado Mesa University team, hands out scholarships, shoulders race entry fees and has competed in several national championships. It is headed by Coach Dave Hagen and participates in Division I athletics.

King College, Bristol, Tennessee

King College’s cycling team is officially recognized by the school as a varsity team. It also awards scholarships and pays for race entry fees. It is headed by Coach Dan Kreiss and competes in Division II athletics.

Lees-McRae College, Banner Elk, North Carolina

The Lees-McRae College cycling team meets all four USA Cycling requirements. It is headed by Coach Luke Winger and competes in Division I athletics.

Lindenwood University, Grover, Missouri

Lindenwood University’s cycling team also meets all the requirements to be considered an official varsity cycling team. It is headed by Coach Chris Mileski and participates in Division I athletics.

Lindsey-Wilson College, Columbia, Kentucky

The Lindsey Wilson College cycling team meets all four requirements and is headed by Coach David Grigsby. It competes in Division I athletics.

Marian University, Indianapolis, Indiana

The Marian University cycling team also meets all the USA Cycling requirements. It is headed by Coach Dean Peterson and participates in Division I athletics.

Mars Hill College, Mars Hill, North Carolina

Mars Hill College’s cycling team has participated in numerous national championships. It grants scholarships to its athletes and takes care of race entry fees. It is headed by Coach Hugh Moran and competes in Division II athletics.

Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas

The Midwestern State University cycling team takes care of race entry fees and has competed in several national championships. It also awards scholarships to its athletes. The program is headed by Coach Charlie Zamastil. The team competes in Division I athletics.

Ripon College, Ripon, Wisconsin

The Ripon College cycling team is recognized by the school as an official varsity team. It takes care of race entry fees and has competed in several national championships. The program is headed by Coach Ric Damm. The team participates in Division II athletics.

Virginia Intermont College, Bristol, Virginia

Finally, Virgina Intermont College’s cycling team meets the exact same criteria as Ripon College. It is headed by Coach Dwayne Letterman and competes in Division II athletics.

Sources:

https://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=6584

http://bicycling.about.com/od/professionalcycling/tp/collegiate_cycling.htm