The Little 500 – It’s All in the Family

The Ziemba family gathers before Indiana University’s Little 500 to support first-time competitor and 2009 Sigma Upsilon initiate Lindsey Ziemba. Pictured from left are Lindsey, upcoming IU freshman Sean, Mom Dorothy, Dad Joe, Alpha Tau Omega alumnus Steve, and Sigma Upsilon alumna Lauren.

When Lauren Ziemba headed off to Indiana University from her hometown of Munster, Ind., little did she know that she was beginning a series of traditions that would pass from sibling to sibling. This fall her youngest brother, Sean, will become the fourth Ziemba sibling to attend IU. Chances are he’ll join a Greek organization. Lauren pledged Kappa Delta’s Sigma Upsilon chapter in 2003; younger brother Steve pledged Alpha Tau Omega; and KD legacy Lindsey joined Sigma Upsilon chapter in 2009. Chances are also good that Sean will carry on the tradition of competing in the Little 500, the biggest intramural event on the IU campus and the largest collegiate bike race in the United States.

The Little 500 is actually two races: the men’s event, 200 laps around IU’s 410-meter track, and the women’s event, 100 laps for a distance of 25.49 miles. Riders compete in four-person teams, and entrants in each race are the top 33 teams determined in qualifying rounds. The first Little 500 was held in 1951 and was for men only. In 1987, Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority barely missed qualifying for the all-male event and became the catalyst for the first women’s race one year later.

Participating in the Little 500 is more than a Ziemba family tradition; it’s a Greek tradition on the IU campus. It’s an event not to be missed – more than 25,000 people attend annually, many returning to campus as alumni to cheer on their sorority sisters and fraternity brothers. It’s also a worthwhile event – to date Little 500 has raised more than $1.4 million for scholarships for IU’s working students.

On April 23, Lauren, a physical therapist in Denver, was in the IU stands to cheer on little sister Lindsey in her first Little 500. Steve, who works for an insurance company in Denver, was KD’s pit mechanic, providing Lindsey with a familiar face and encouragement as well as mechanical assistance. Also in the KD pit with Steve was coach Norm Houze and student coach Derek Bailey, an ATO fraternity brother.

According to Lauren, the pit is where teammates warm up, get extra water and snacks, and the crew pit keeps everything running smoothly. The girls can ride and don't have to worry about changing tires, where the leader is, or how many laps to ride. What the girls do have to worry about – besides keeping up the pace – is handing off the bike to the next girl waiting in the pit – all while the bike is still moving!

The KD team finished the 2010 race in 10th place, completing 99 laps in 1:13:33. Lindsey rode 20 laps; Jennifer Balbach, known as the KD’s veteran powerhouse, completed 60 laps; and the rest were divided among the other two rookie riders, Jenny Boll and Megan Balbach. In 2009, Jennifer was named to the All-Star Riders team, which has also included in the last decade KDs Julie Panzica (2008), Lindsey Manck (2006 and 2007), Lauren Ziemba (2006), Kim Gerbers (2002 and 2003), and Heidi Marshall (2001).

On hand for the 2010 Indiana University Little 500 are Sigma Upsilon KDs, from left, Lindsey Manck, Lindsey and Lauren Ziemba, and Alyssa Schlatter Keys.

Lauren says, “I think the reason Kappa Delta has such a strong presence in race is due to our amazing sisters who are always there to support us. When we return from rides, track practice and on race day, there is always a sister that is in amazement of what we are doing and cheering us on … I recently had two sisters from two different pledge classes who rode with me come out to Colorado for a visit. Having that type of bond is what keeps the bike team strong and keeps alumnae involved with the team.”

So what started the Ziemba family tradition of competing in the Little 500? The first time Lauren participated in the Little 500, she was a student timer. She says she was so in awe of the race, the adult timer encouraged her to try out for the team. When the fall semester rolled around, Coach Norm took all the rookies, including Lauren, out for a ride. “After my first ride I was hooked,” Lauren says. She called her parents to ask for money to buy a bike, and they laughed because she had told them she no longer wanted the bike she owned when they moved while she was in eighth grade. “They told me if I wanted a bike I would have to get it on my own. So I spent all my money (around $700) on a bike and loved it.”

Lauren says she decided that if she was going to invest her money and time in cycling, then she was going to stick with it. She recently upgraded her first bike, “the tank,” and plans to participate this summer in a triathlon, a half ironman, and the Triple Bypass, a 120-mile, one-day event over three mountain passes in Colorado.

As for Lindsey, she has a cross-country bike trip from Phoenix to Colorado Springs under her belt, and she plans to keep up the tradition of riding in the Little 500. She says, “I have been watching the race since I was a sophomore in high school. Just being a spectator motivates you to want to do it.”

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