Indiana State University Newsroom

More than 40 Indiana State University alumni, faculty, staff, students and supporters showcased their Sycamore Pride across Indiana Saturday (July 18) as part of a state-spanning bicycle ride.

The ISU contingent was part of the more than 1,300 riders taking part in the annual Ride Across Indiana (RAIN) event, sponsored by the Bloomington Bicycle Club. The Indiana State University Alumni Association worked in conjunction with the club to encourage ISU alumni and friends to participate in the ride.

The event covered 162 miles across U.S. 40, staring in Terre Haute and ending in Richmond. Cyclists with ISU ties came from throughout Indiana and as far as Chicago and Florida

The ISU riders were clad in blue and-white jerseys emblazoned with the word "Sycamores" on the front and "March On!" on the back. Among those wearing jerseys and participating in the race were ISU President Dan Bradley; his wife, Cheri; and Chris Hancock executive director of the ISU Alumni Association.

"There's a message of persistence and progress in' March On!,' both as our fight song and the overall spirit of the university. In addition to containing elements of the message of ‘March On!,' I think the ride itself is a symbol of how far-reaching our alumni presence is," Hancock said. "We had a nice mix of people representing ISU riding together across Indiana and representing Indiana State for all to see."

Steve Mayer, '89, of Indianapolis was among the ISU alumni participating in the ride. It was the sixth time the College of Technology graduate has ridden in the RAIN ride but his first time under the auspices of his alma mater.

"I think it's great that the University has gotten involved in this activity," he said before the ride. "It's a chance to get out and enjoy a wonderful day with a lot of great people. I'm looking forward to it. There's a lot of scenery along the way."

On the Friday evening preceding the ride Mayer and other ISU RAIN participants were able to tour the new Student Recreation Center. "It's a beautiful facility and will mean a great deal to the students and the University. It's like having a spa on campus," he said.

"In fact the entire campus has changed quite a bit since I graduated," he added. "I was impressed to hear that ISU had been designated a Tree Campus. A lot of thought and work has been put into campus and it shows. It's beautiful."

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Contact: Chris Hancock, executive director of Alumni Association, Indiana State University, 812-237-3132 or chancock@indstate.edu