IUSF announces MVP nominees

Three riders were singled out by the IU Student Foundation Saturday as finalists for the 2004 Little 500 men's TIAA-CREF MVP award.\nSenior Tom Meersman from Alpha Tau Omega and senior Jason Fowler and freshman David Caughlin from Cutters were announced as a few of the leading candidates for the award during a press conference during qualifications.\nThe award is open to all men's riders in the Little 500.\n"It would be an honor (to win)," Fowler said. "It's a great award they're giving us the opportunity to have and to continue our cycling career beyond college, beyond the Little 500."\nTeammate Caughlin echoed Fowler's sentiment.\n"I think it's an amazing opportunity that there's so much talent in the entire field of riders, and given the opportunity to go out there and get out a good race day performance and move on to the next level," he said.\nIUSF Director Jonathon Purvis was joined by IUSF Race Director Rob Rhamy, senior Brooke Mitchell and Vice President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Buddy McAtee in announcing the MVP candidates as well as the new MVP award.\nThe award, re-named the TIAA-CREF MVP award, will be handed out to one men's rider from the Little 500 field. The recipient of the award will be given the opportunity to train with former professional cyclist Jonathan Vaughters and his Under 23 cycling team. Whomever is chosen for the award will have the opportunity to train and compete with Vaughters' team, Rhamy said.\n"The team will travel the nation and do a lot of the pro circuit," he said. "It's basically a stepping stone for any amateur cyclist to try to make the next step to the professional level."\nMcAtee joined with the IUSF to re-affirm the IMS's relationship with the Little 500. \n"We're really excited to be a part of (the Little 500)," said McAtte, a 1978 IU grad. "We're going to be supporting it fully this year."\nThe IMS will bring the Little 500 riders to the Indy 500 Festival Parade and allow them to go around the track.\nMitchell was on hand as an example of the IUSF scholarship program.\nShe is a recipient of two different IUSF scholarships -- a three-year recipient of the Working Student Scholarship and the 9/11 Scholarship. \nA women's MVP award will also be presented, however, the IUSF does not have a relationship with a women's professional team to present an award comparable to the men's MVP award, Rhamy said.\n-- Contact sports editor Josh Weinfuss at jweinfus@indiana.edu.