The wonder of Little 500 spirit

ESPN's college network runs a commercial claiming that they cover college sports where the student-athletes are competing for the love of the game. \nThey conveniently left out the fact that big-name college programs are all about the money, and many big-name college players decide to go professional before graduating (including IU's Bracey Wright). \nThis weekend was an exception. The Little 500 is a high-profile athletic event that boasts a movie, "Breaking Away," prompts the return of alumni and brings the campus together unlike anything else. But the only monied part of the event is that it raises scholarship funds. We pride ourselves on calling this mid-April festival of bikes and beer "The World's Greatest College Weekend." \nOne of the best aspects of the weekend is the pure sport. Teams train year-round for a two-hour race. \nThe riders, even those that don't qualify for the final race, give countless hours to training, risk injury in domino-effect crashes and sign up to put it all on the line in front of 20,000 people. And for what? The cyclists don't get paid. Instead they get campus-wide glory and the pride of leaving it all on the cinders.\nThere are no contracts for record-setting performances. There are no guarantees for the next year: even the winners have to prove themselves once again the next spring. The riders love cycling and they love the IU tradition of Little 500. \nThat tradition is a definite draw to prospective students and favorite memory of alumni. No matter which squad wins the race, IU wins. There's always something to cheer for. The race weekend isn't just an opportunity to let loose just two weeks before finals. It provides positive press for the University. Perhaps without meaning to, the event shows off IU's athletic tradition and school spirit. \nStories of personal struggle and team triumph inspire pride in our school that we have such an event and pride in our friends that they are part of such an event. This year, the bike races took place beneath a cloudless, glorious sky after a week tinged with tragedy. The prayer before the races, in both Spanish and English, opened each event with a reminder of things that matter more than winning on the track. The spectacular part of the entire event is how a 55-year-old intramural competition is a context to see IU at its best. \nAt this year's Little 500, seniors Brett Hershey and Ashley Crouse were honored by balloons, ribbons and jerseys. The Little 500 showed a campus remembering students and citizens we have lost. \nAt this year's Little 500, La Casa fielded a women's team and for the first time, there was an all-black women's team. The Little 500 displayed some of the campus's diversity. \nThere were frightening crashes, sprints and strategy. IU students got their due for their passion and performance. Most importantly, the Little 500 exemplifies IU's spirit and energy in racing, in cheering and in remembering. And no part of this great spectacle was inspired by money. The only green was the racing flag and jerseys, as it should be.