TWENTY16 and Education
Ride 4 Education Scholarship Program
TWENTY16 is a valued recruitment platform for young athletes heading to college. Many universities are now offering partial and full scholarships to capable female cyclists for their varsity programs. To compliment the university scholarships, TWENTY16 created the Ride 4 Education program.
In 2015 the "Ride 4 Education" program, co-founded by Barry Bonds, TWENTY16 General Manager Nicola Cranmer and Team Director Mari Holden was activated. The program offers scholarships to members of the TWENTY16 junior development program.
TWENTY16 has successfully developed junior athletes and connected them with colleges as they graduate from high school. TWENTY16 then enables these athletes to race with our development and professional programs while attending college and fulfilling collegiate academic and race obligations. The priority for our program is always academics allowing our athletes to obtain the best education possible for life after cycling.
Research has shown that the disciplines associated with sport, prepares students for the work place. Athletes learn many skills that will help them throughout their adult lives, from managing their time to succeeding under pressure. Successfully balancing academics and sport can prepare you for the pressures in the work place. Forbes Magazine reported that companies should hire athletes; their drive for success and achieving goals, inclination to take the lead, desire to work hard and balance multiple projects, think strategically and tune in to big picture and long-term goals. Forbes - Why You Should Hire Athletes
TWENTY16 Pro Cycling is the only professional team with an integrated junior program. Offering junior athletes an opportunity to race with our team not only helps them gain valuable race experience and a fast track into professional racing, but it also encourages them to apply the same skill sets of focus, endurance and discipline they display in cycling to their academics and the pursuit of an undergraduate college degree. Education, Athletics and Community are the three pillars of our program. Scholarships are currently limited to members of TWENTY16.
Scholarships are awarded to full-time high school students ages 17 and 18 or first year college students. Our selection committee will be awarding scholarships to qualifying applicants to supplement their college tuition while continuing to pursue cycling. Having excellent academic grades, leadership qualities, community involvement as well as solid racing results and teamwork will determine eligibility of the TWENTY16 junior applicant.
2015 Recipients of the Ride 4 Education Scholarship
Hannah Arensman $8,000
Brevard University
Zoe Mullins $8,000
Milligan University
Marta Morris $8,000
Marian University
Contributors include The Barry Bonds Family Foundation, Will Chang, Biagi Brothers Inc, Rainey Miller, Dean Family Trust, Burns Family Foundation, Jackson Family Wines, Holden Family, Jeff Bernstein, David & Becky Vigil and Wendy Tonkin Philanthropic Fund.
The Ride 4 Education Selection Committee is supported by: Margaret Hepworth, Dr. Kristin Wingfield, Lt Col Benjamin H Rhoades, Jim and Terri Holden, Mari Holden and Nicola Cranmer.
Ride 4 Education Press Release
Ride 4 Education Scholarships Awarded