Every year, thousands of spectators file into Bill Armstrong Stadium to watch the legendary Little 500, part of what is billed as “The World’s Greatest College Weekend.” But the organization behind the race is about much more than biking.
IU Student Foundation is the student branch of the IU Foundation and supports student philanthropy on campus. In addition to planning and hosting the Little 500, IUSF raises money through the Students Helping Students campaign and hosts various philanthropy days.
“Something that I think is really important for students to know is that, yes, it’s a bike race, and yes, that’s a lot of fun, but we’re doing this for a bigger purpose, and that’s to help students around campus and make a difference in the IU community,” Steering Committee president Sanaa Zavery said.
One dollar from every Little 500 ticket sold goes to IUSF’s Students Helping Students campaign, which aims to destigmatize mental health and support mental health care on campus. Bike teams also compete to see who can have the most individual student donors to the campaign; teams who participate earn a special patch on their race day jerseys.
IU's new Wellness House, a space for student rest and rejuvenation on campus, was partly funded by the proceeds from last year’s Students Helping Students campaign.
Alongside Students Helping Students, IUSF has four other committees: Engagement, PreRace, Little 500 Cycling Committee and External Affairs. The committees are overseen by the Steering Committee, a group of seniors that lead IUSF, and their counterpart on the biker side, called Riders Council.
In addition to putting on the Little 500, the Little 500 Cycling Committee hosts cycling events throughout the year, such as the fall and spring cycling series and Little 500 qualifications.
General members of IUSF help make these events happen by volunteering their time. Junior Katie Templeton frequently volunteers during practice times at the track, times which allow Little 500 riders to get their required track hours in before the big race. She is a gunner, a junior who spends the semester attending and volunteering at IUSF events in the hopes of being selected to be a part of Steering Committee for their senior year.
“I just think it’s a great opportunity to meet like-minded people that are working towards the same goal,” she said.
IU senior and Steering Committee member Margaret Barnett similarly prizes the community she has found through IUSF.
“If I had to describe the people who are a part of IUSF, I would say passionate, driven, hardworking and caring,” said Barnett. “I think people just really care about each other and care about what we’re doing.”
For the students involved, IUSF is more than just the group that puts on Little 500. It is an opportunity to grow their leadership skills, give back to campus and find community.
“I’ve made, like, my college friends, like some of my best friends,” said Barnett. “And sometimes the work is daunting, but we really support each other and we’re working for the greater good.”
CORRECTION: This article has been corrected to clarify the correct organizations that host IU’s new wellness house, and IU day.
