USA BMX Announces Winners of Warnicke Scholarships

USA BMX would like to congratulate the following members for receiving approval for a BMX scholarship. This year, thanks to USA BMX participants in the Bob Warnicke Scholarship races, we were able to give out $31,000 in scholarships. Proceeds from Bob Warnicke races held at all the local tracks go towards this scholarship fund.

The following are the 2013 Bob Warnicke Scholarship recipients:

• $5,000: Keith Anderson, University of Nevada, Reno: Keith is majoring in civil engineering while attending the University of Nevada, Reno. Keith has been racing for the past 10 years and calls Fernley BMX his home track.
• $2,000: Cory Franzwa, St. Cloud Tech & Community College: Cory is working toward a degree in advertising, communication and design, while attending St. Cloud Technical and Community College. He volunteers at his local track assisting with maintenance and teaches their community education classes, coaching and encouraging new riders.     
• $2,000: David Goderre, San Diego State University: David is working toward a degree in business administration - information systems while attending San Diego State University. He attributes BMX for teaching him the meaning of dedication, responsibility and the importance of hard work.
• $2,000: Jennifer Hartmann, Bellarmine University: Jennifer attends Bellarmine University and is majoring in psychology with a minor in sports studies. She is looking forward to becoming a sports psychologist and helping athletes perform better by working through their mental road blocks.
• $2,000: Joshua Wedge, Central Connecticut State University: Joshua is attending Central Connecticut State University majoring in criminology. Joshua has been racing for 14 years. His home track is Foothills BMX where he has taught rookie clinics for the past five years.
• $2,000: Molly Longton, Ferris State University: Molly will be majoring in graphic design while attending Ferris State University. Her future goals are to work for an action sports company as a graphic or advertising designer.
• $1,000: Alan Struna, Milwaukee School of Engineering: Alan is attending Milwaukee School of Engineering majoring in mechanical engineering. He would like to see schools develop a policy that would not penalize individuals for missing school when involved in sports the school does not sanction, such as BMX.
• $1,000:  Chase Hines, Marian University: Chase is majoring in marketing and is part of the cycling team at Marian University. After he graduates, he hopes to work in the BMX industry and continue riding his bike.
• $1,000: Crystal Kalogris, Marian University: Crystal has been involved in BMX for 14 years and currently competes in the Elite Women class. While attending college and working toward her Bachelor of Science degree in biology, she is also a member of the cycling team competing in BMX, dual slalom and downhill mountain biking.
• $1,000: Dylon Vaughn,University of Arizona: Dylon will be attending the University of Arizona and will major in business. Dylon has been racing for 14 years and volunteers at Sports Park BMX - helping to prepare the track before races and practices.
• $1,000: Edward Dorrian, University of Texas: Ed is attending the University of Texas and majoring in mechanical engineering. Edward feels BMX Racing is a "family" and has benefitted from the networking opportunities it affords.    
• $1,000:  Felicia Stancil, Marian University: Felicia has been racing since she was four years old. One of the goals she is working toward is to get a doctorate in physical therapy while attending Marian University. Her other goal is to win an Olympic gold medal to add to her 12 World titles.
• $1,000: Justin Posey, Marian University: Obtaining a degree in business marketing is Justin's focus while attending Marian University, along with being a part of the university's cycling team. Another goal he has set is to make the BMX Olympic team and compete in Rio in 2016.            
• $1,000: Michael Sixby, Michigan Tech University: Mike calls GTC BMX his home track and credits BMX for keeping him pointed in the direction of a positive, healthy, respectable lifestyle. Mike is majoring in mechanical engineering at Michigan Tech University.
• $1,000: Nathan Riley, Oklahoma State University: Nathan's focus at Oklahoma State University will be in athletic training. He has been involved in BMX for 14 years and is looking forward to mentor and train athletes to assist them in attaining their goals.
• $1,000: Robert Vargo, Jr., Luzerne County Community College: Robert is currently attending the Luzerne County Community College working towards his associates degree in engineering. After acquiring his associates degree, he plans to continue his education and earn a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. Robert is looking forward to giving back to the racing community like so many of the people have that he has met in the sport of BMX.
• $1,000: Shawn Pratt, University of Pittsburgh: Shawn contributes BMX for influencing his desire to attend the University of Pittsburgh and earn a degree to become a physical therapy assistant. He has been a track operator the past two years and will continue assisting with the track this year.
• $1,000: Wesley S. Murphy, Lindsey Wilson College: Wesley is majoring in business at Lindsey Wilson College and is also part of the cycling team. He participates in a community project at Camp Casey where athletes help students learn about character and sportsmanship. He demonstrates how much fun cycling is and relays how BMX has kept him out of trouble and helped him reach his life goals. 
• $1,000: Dani George, University of California / Riverside: Dani looks forward to obtaining her bachelors degree in applied mathematics. She plans to use her education to help solve problems faced by the BMX industry in the future.
• $500: Amanda Schaaf, Palm Beach State College: Amanda is majoring in marine biology and oceanography while attending Palm Beach State College. She is determined to continue to excel in academics and continue pushing herself to excel in BMX racing, her two passions
• $500: Austin Mason, Berry College: Austin will be attending Berry College majoring in mechanical engineering. He credits his BMX family for teaching him that, "it is not all about winning, but about pursuing your passion with determination and wholeheartedness."
• $500: Carly Curtin, University At Albany: Carly will be attending the University at Albany, State University of New York. Her goals are to obtain a bachelor's degree in environmental science, then a master's degree focusing on renewable energy.
• $500: Daniel Birmingham, Virginia Tech: Daniel is going to Virginia Tech and working toward a Bachelors of Science degree in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise. He is looking forward to working as a physical therapist assistant and in the future obtaining a doctorate degree in physical therapy.
• $500: Lain Van Ogle, Marian University: Lain is attending Marian University and will be majoring in business administration. He credits BMX for bringing his family closer together as they are all involved in the same sport.
• $500: Kimberly Parkinson, Valparaiso University: Kimberly will be focusing on a degree in business while attending Valparaiso University. On race day at her local track, Kimberly can be found assisting in sign ups, concessions, training new riders, passing out trophies or whatever task needs completed.

About The Warnicke Scholarship: Since 1996, the Bob Warnicke Scholarship program has awarded nearly $325,000 in Scholarships to members of the NBL and USA BMX.  The Warnicke Scholarship Race was created to help fund The Bob Warnicke Memorial Scholarship Fund, which assists students and their families in meeting the costs of undergraduate college education, trade school, etc.  USA BMX/BMX Canada members who have a current USA BMX/BMX Canada membership or Track Operators/Officials who participate in BMX racing events sanctioned by USA BMX/BMX Canada are all eligible to apply.

Who Was Bob Warnicke? More than anything else, Bob was a person who cared deeply about the sport of BMX racing. His dedication showed his commitment to the youth who benefited from his efforts, and improved the sport and the image of BMX throughout the years. The Scholarship Program preserves Bob Warnicke's legacy of love by contributing to the futures of deserving USA BMX / BMX Canada members in his name.

For more information on the Bob Warnicke Scholarship program - including instructions on how to apply, click here.