Founded in 1989, the MSU Cycling Team is based in Wichita Falls, Texas, and competes across all collegiate cycling disciplines. Today, the team is made up of around 30 driven athletes who are passionate about racing and constantly seeking that competitive edge. Discover how their program is structured and what it takes to build a finely tuned collegiate club built for success!
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USA Cycling (USAC): Midwestern State University (MSU) has a long-standing tradition in collegiate cycling. Can you share the history of how the team was founded?
Midwestern State University Cycling (MSU): The MSU Cycling Team was founded by Dr. Bob Clark, a professor of Sociology who later became the Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness back in 1989. He started the team with a small group of students and received coaching support from Marvin Traywick, a dedicated volunteer from the community. Dr. Clark was also one of the founding members of the Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred Bicycle Ride and the associated USA Cycling race. He remained the team’s administrator until 2017.
USAC: How is the MSU Cycling Team structured in terms of leadership and support?
MSU: Since cycling is not under the university’s athletic department, our team has a unique structure. The administrator supervises the head coach and provides assistance with overall team operations. Additionally, we have an advisory board that includes the administrator, the head coach, the Executive Director of Hotter ‘N Hell, and several key members of the Wichita Falls cycling community. This collective effort ensures the program remains strong and well-supported.
USAC: Looking ahead, what is the vision for the future of MSU Cycling?
MSU: Our goal is to rebuild the program to its former strength, particularly in the Team Time Trial, which was a hallmark of our success in the early to mid-2000s. We are committed to returning to that competitive level and making MSU Cycling a powerhouse once again. The goal next year is to build a 40-student athlete roster for the 25/26 school year, and we’re currently at 30 athletes now. The program is also actively trying to grow women participation. Coming out of the pandemic the team was down to just one female athlete. We have since brought it back to 7 athletes as looking to grow that in the years to come.
USAC: Recruiting is crucial for collegiate cycling programs. How is MSU approaching this?
MSU: We are actively recruiting through Texas NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association). Our strategy includes attending races and pre-riding courses with high school athletes to introduce them to collegiate cycling. We’ve found that many NICA riders are open to exploring disciplines beyond mountain biking, such as road racing. This presents an excellent opportunity to expand our roster and develop well-rounded cyclists as MSU competes in all disciplines: road, track, cyclocross, mountain bike and BMX.
USAC: That sounds like a strong foundation for growth. Any final thoughts?
MSU Cycling: We’re excited about the future and eager to see our program thrive again. With dedicated leadership, strong community support, and a focus on recruiting and development, we believe MSU Cycling will continue to make an impact in collegiate racing!
