[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 181 (Thursday, December 19, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S9048]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     MARIAN UNIVERSITY CYCLING TEAM

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today, I wish to applaud the 
Marian University Knights on earning USA Cycling's No. 1 collegiate 
cycling team ranking for the 2012-2013 season, as well as winning the 
USA Cycling Collegiate Division I Track, Cyclo-cross, BMX, and road 
national championships during the 2012-2013 season.
  Marian University established its cycling program in 1992. The 
program is committed to competing at the highest level and developing 
strong character in each team member through academic and athletic 
excellence. Since the inception of its competitive cycling program, the 
Marian University Knights have won 23 national championship titles in 
road, cyclo-cross, BMX, and track cycling.
  Head coach Dean Peterson and his staff work tirelessly to promote the 
university's goals by bringing team-focused concepts to a sport that 
traditionally emphasizes the individual. The ``Knights on Bikes'' team 
includes both male and female student-athletes who travel together as a 
team during each season and to every national championship. In 
addition, Marian University has an indoor cycling center where even the 
coldest Midwest winter cannot prevent them from regularly training 
together.
  The Marian University cycling team works to give back to the local 
and national cycling community as well as the Indianapolis area. 
Student-cyclists are required to contribute 10 hours each semester to 
community service. They work with the community in a variety of ways, 
including hosting informal riding clinics, cycling for charity, and 
participating in campus volunteer opportunities.
  Congratulations to head coach Dean Peterson, assistant coach Nate 
Keck, athletic director Steve Downing, and all the student-cyclists on 
winning the USA Cycling Collegiate Division I road, track, and cyclo-
cross national championships in 2012, and winning the road, track and 
cyclo-cross national championships again and for the first time the BMX 
national championship in 2013. In addition, congratulations to 
University president Daniel J. Elsener, executive vice president and 
provost Thomas J. Enneking, the Marian University student body, alumni, 
and friends. On behalf of the citizens of Indiana, I congratulate the 
Marian University Knights on the triumph of their competitive cycling 
program, and I wish them continued success in the future.

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