Little 500 scholarships: meet the recipients

The Little 500 is more than a bike race — it’s a scholarship competition, one that has nothing to do with the results of the race.

The IU Student Foundation awards thousands of scholarships and grants each year through its program, and a majority of them are associated with the race.

This year, the money given out in scholarships and grants totals $154,770, said Tricia Runkel, assistant director of IUSF.

There are four general rider scholarships totaling $3,200. Each scholarship has different qualifications, ranging from financial need to a positive attitude.

One of the most important scholarships is the Working Rider Scholarship, junior Chrissie White said. It offers $1,000 to riders who work to support their education.

IUSF also sponsors the Michael E. Erickson Memorial Scholarship, which awards $500 to nominated participants who have overcome adversity to race.

All of the scholarships will be announced at the Victory Banquet on the Wednesday following the Little 500.

Even if they don’t win on the track, riders can still win financially. 

Chrissie White
Junior, majoring in English
Scholarship: Howdy Wilcox – ATO – Little 500 Scholarship
Role in the Little 500: “Gunner”  (Applicants for the steering committee work as gunners their junior year)
White won the Howdy Wilcox – ATO – Little 500 scholarship without pedaling a lap around the track.

Instead of being a rider, White works as a gunner. She’s painted pit boards and is helping construct the race.

White thinks the behind-the-scenes aspects of the race are what make the experience.

“Without all of the things beforehand, it would just be a bike race,” she said.

White has also worked as a member for the pre-race committee and the scholarship and service committee as well as part of the IU Sing production staff. Now, she is a scholarship winner.

“I’m just very grateful. IUSF has given me a lot more than just money,” White said. 

Kelsie Ackman
Junior, majoring in criminal justice
Scholarship: Richard Steiner Scholarship
Role in the Little 500: Chairman for the Little 500 Cycling Committee

Ackman didn’t know much about the Little 500 before coming to IU.

Now, she and her committee are in charge of organizing the Individual Time Trials and assisting in race day operations.

This means everything from getting water and setting up tents to helping with check-in and registration.

“Just participating in something bigger than what you could do individually is amazing,” Ackman said.

Through her work at IUSF for four semesters, she was encouraged to apply for the Richard Steiner Scholarship, which also gives preference to criminal justice majors.
The scholarship, however, isn’t only restricted to IUSF members.

“The whole mission of IUSF is to give back,” Ackman said.