Community information night at LOHS March 1

[Steve_Kinley]

It was just about a year ago that I first sent out invitations to an exploratory meeting on the formation of a scholastic cycling league in the state of Michigan. MiSCA (Michigan Scholastic Cycling Association) was formed and after a lot of hard work by a dedicated group of volunteers, we have successfully completed our first season, hitting our initial goals of piloting the program in southeast Michigan. We are now ready to take the next step and branch out, both locally and across the state.

For 2011 MiSCA is
• Developing a five race series that culminates in the awarding of scholarships
• Partnering with local bike shops and industry sponsors to offer discounts to registered riders
• Promoting the formation of scholastic cycling cubs by schools, youth organizations, bike shops, and private individuals
• Developing other student cycling offerings including bike camps.

MiSCA recognizes the challenges of getting schools to accept cycling as a club or team sport and has come up with a support team to help overcome the objections faced when trying to establish a school team. We have also developed an alternative, or “composite” team concept that will allow the formation of scholastic teams other than those sponsored by a school. These clubs could be sponsored by youth groups, bike shops or individuals.

To learn more about these initiatives, we are inviting you to a community information night at Lake Orion High School on March 1, starting at 7:00 pm. We will be giving a presentation on MiSCA’s plans for 2011 and beyond and how you can join or form a club. Board members will be present after the presentation to answer questions and help you get started on forming a club. Similar presentations are being scheduled for the Grand Rapids and Lansing areas at a later date.

We hope you will join us for the evening and invite anyone you know that might be interested in participating in, or volunteering with, the Michigan Scholastic Cycling Association.

What: MiSCA informational meeting
When: March 1st, 7:00 pm
Where: Lake Orion High School 495 E. Scripps Rd. Lake Orion, MI 48360

[Steve_Kinley]

Can't wait until March 1st to find out what's going on with MiSCA? We have an info night at Cycletherapy in Waterford on Feb 22, 7:00 pm.
http://local.google.com/local?f=d&hl=en ... I+48328+US

[D-15]

Hi Steve. Are there going to be a variety of forms and what not to fill out there? Things that coaches need to get the ball rolling for the year. I'm thinking along the lines of back ground checks for coaches, student registration forms for MISCA, to take back with us...etc...or is that stuff going to be online?

I was also wondering if I could possible get a bundle of informational handouts (like the ones you had at the winter race) that I can take back with me to school. That way when we have our walk throughs in the summer I can hand out some info to parents and students and whoever!

Thanks.. See you there!

[Steve_Kinley]

All club and student registrations will be done online but we could have some sample forms available. We will have various materials to take back with you including the race schedules. We modified the requirements for schools to make it easier to sign up, no additional background checks are required for teachers.

[Steve_Kinley]

Hope to see some of you tonight. Invite your friends and co=workers that might be interested in forming or joining a club.

[Steve_Kinley]

Thanks to those that came out last night to talk about MiSCA. it looks like we will be seeing a couple of new scholastic clubs in the SE Michigan area this year. Hopefulyy we can get them going across the rest of the state as well.

[Josh McCreedy]

Steve,

I couldn't make it last night, but Holly High School will be a team this year, even if it has to come out of my own pocket.

Keep the updates coming; I've been checking the MISCA website frequently.

Josh
Holly High School Outdoor Club

[Steve_Kinley]

Great to hear that. I was looking for you last night, a lot of the usual crowd was there. Will you be sanctioned and covered by the school? If not, you might check with Ron over at Cyclefit in Fenton about putting together a composite team.