WATERLOO, Wis. (BRAIN) — Trek Bicycle — which has already pledged $1 million to the high school mountain bike racing league — is expanding its planned donation program.
The additional funding will support existing National Interscholastic Cycling Association leagues, establish a solid financial foundation for new leagues, and support the development of league coaches and directors.
The company will continue to contribute $1 from the sale of each mountain bike tire to the National Interscholastic Cycling Association. It also will donate $10 from the sale of each full-suspension mountain bike. That program is expected to generate $1 million for NICA within five years of the program's launch in 2016. A large percentage of Trek dealers have pledged to match those donations.
All existing leagues will receive $5,000 a year from the newly established funding structure.
Trek will provide a three-year funding structure for all new leagues to provide capital during a league's formative years. This annual contribution will ensure new leagues launch with a solid financial foundation, the company said. Every new league established will receive $20,000 in the first year, with contributions of $15,000 and $10,000 in years two and three respectively.
NICA will use the additional funding to help develop and support local leadership by creating NICA University, a learned management system, and host a national conference.
"Throughout NICA's history, the most successful programs have been the ones with the most engaged licensed coaches and league directors," the company said.
With an annual growth rate of over 30 percent, today more than 15,000 middle and high school student-athletes compete in 22 NICA leagues in 21 states.
"Part of Trek's mission is to change the world by getting more people on bikes and NICA is the embodiment of that," said Trek Bicycle's president, John Burke. "Getting kids off of their phones, outside and on the trails, and helping them find a passion that lasts a lifetime is something we believe strongly in. NICA has a huge future."
NICA's president, Austin McInerny, said, "We have big plans to strengthen communities through cycling and Trek's support along with their retailers is going to have a massive impact on so many kids and their families."
Those interested in founding NICA leagues or supporting existing leagues are encouraged to visit nationalmtb.org.
