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May 3, 2013 · 9:42 am

Local Blogs Honored by @Mcall !

Last night we were invited to the Lehigh Valley Heritage Society by the Morning Call to honor Lehigh Valley bloggers. This is the third year for the Morning Call’s My Choice Voice blog awards and it was a really good time.

I arrived just as the event opened up and was greeted by a time traveler…

There is a great Abraham Lincoln display at the Museum currently and we ran into Honest Abe himself!

There were snacks and beverages set up (This was a high class event) and was soon joined by the Morning Call’s own Social Media guru Stephanie Sigafoos who gave me a tour of the museum. There are many high end local treasures on display at the museum. Allentown specific currency over 100 years old including the actual printing plates to print the cash, old farm implements and children’s toys from the earliest times of the Lehigh Valley. I encourage you to take a few hours and check out this gem. Details of hours/admission are on their website linked above.

I have to admit, I was limited to my phone for photography as the rest of the Noise Nation staff was out getting more material to share with our readers. DiPro and Kram took in an early game in Reading before getting together with Cheryl and heading over to Coca Cola Park early for some Noise Nation exclusives with the IronPigs. I’ll share a link to the Morning Call’s coverage later.

So the big news. I should really say BIG NEWS! The Noise Nation’s Horn & Bell Blog was honored for the third year as the “Best Sports Blog!” Not only that, we were recognized as the “Best Overall Blog!” Best Overall! Top Dog! I still have trouble believing that one with all the high quality blogs out there. Shane’s “Laughing at my Nightmare” blog, Wacker’s “Lehigh Valley With Love” blog and (although I still think she’s spelling it incorrectly) Jamie’s “Save the Kales” blog are among last night’s honorees and among my favorites. Along with being bloggers I see all these folks as friends and it was a great night for everyone involved.

All award winners by category:

Art: Arts@Lehigh Blog

Business and Technology: @JeremyLittau

Entertainment and Nightlife: The El Vee

Family: One Punky Mama

Fitness and Health: Kim’s Healthy Eats

Food: Save the Kales

Humor: Laughing At My Nightmare

Misfits Defying Categorization: Hello Home Shoppe

Music: Neck Pickup

Neighborhood: Mulroy Wondering and Wandering

News: Lehigh Valley with Love

Opinion: Molovinsky on Allentown

Personal: Hope Street

Photography: BarNone Weddings & Entertainment

Politics: Lehigh Valley Ramblings

Religion: Rik Potter: A Journal of Magickal Spirituality

Sports: The Noise Nation’s Horn & Bell

Style Scene: Lehigh Valley Transplant

Best Overall Blog: The Noise Nation’s Horn & Bell

Now to take a moment and send out my thanks. Many, many, many thanks to Decal, DiPro, Kram and Cheryl for all their hard work and effort to keep this blog, not only keeping it alive, but to keep it moving forward and to greater and more exciting places. It would be nowhere without your help and I stand and applaud for you!

Many thanks to all who voted for our blog and a special thanks to our friends at the LV Steelhawks, LV Rollergirls and LV IronPigs. We know you were voting and truly appreciate it!

A great big thank you to the Morning Call for holding this event for us each year and here’s to this event growing in the years to come!

One thank you and nod up to the Big Guy too.

So where do we go now?

I felt this is a perfect time to share with you new and exciting directions the Horn & Bell will be heading.

Look forward to seeing:

– More and more high quality podcasts from our dynamic duo DiPro & Kram. They will be getting the inside scoop, having special guests and providing you with stuff you might not hear about otherwise!

– More video. I love video, don’t you? Cheryl and Kram will be working towards interviews and some “On the spot” location reports. (There is also a very special uniform being procured as I type this) Stay Tuned!

– The continued Fan’s View of Lehigh Valley sports!

It’s going to be a great year!

Link to the Morning Call’s Photo gallery from the My Choice Voice Blog Awards.

Link to the Morning Call’s coverage of the My Choice Voice Blog Awards.

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May 2, 2013 · 4:39 pm

Moss Feeling at Home in Oakland

Decal shared this video with me earlier and described it as Oakland’s version of the Noise Nation. A group of noisy and dedicated fans staying for the 19 inning game where former IronPig Brandon Moss hit a walk off HR to win! I think I hear a drum and some bells in there. Moss must have had fond memories of Coca Cola Park…

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May 2, 2013 · 10:53 am

@NYNJComets Announce Bethlehem Resident as their “Voice!”

We remember Barry from the Philly Force days and it makes me very happy to see a local connection to the team! Hopefully one day that NY/NJ moniker can change to an LV! (A guy can wish right?)

From the @NYNJComets:

Bridgewater, NJ – May 2, 2013 – Owner/GM, Michael Neuwirth announced today that Barry Eisenberg will be the voice of the Comets beginning with the 2013 season.

Eisenberg is a veteran Announcer, Voice Over Artist and Field Reporter with more than 13 years on-air experience. He started his career in 1999 with Cablevision of NY covering local events then joined the NPF in 2004 as the voice of the NY/NJ Juggernaut. Eisenberg joined the Philadelphia Force in 2006 and was named Director of Broadcast Operations. His responsibilities included broadcasting games on the internet and hosting the team’s weekly television show on Service Electric Cable TV in the Lehigh Valley. Eisenberg formed an internet radio station called Christmas City Broadcasting Network where he currently serves as President.

“I am thrilled for the opportunity to broadcast the Comets games over the internet,” Eisenberg stated. “This will give softball fans around the world the chance to listen in as the greatest female athletes on the planet go head to head for a shot at the championship. On a personal level, I am thrilled to be back in the booth for the NPF after a 3 year hiatus. I think the Comets ownership and management are rock solid, have a forward-thinking approach, and are dedicated to winning in the largest media market on earth. I don’t think it will be too long before the Comets win their first title and I can’t wait to be there for it.”

Off the air, Eisenberg is a General Securities Principal for a regional financial services firm as well as the voice to radio and television commercials. An avid amateur baseball player, Eisenberg lives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania with his daughters Brielle and SheaLeigh.

About NY/NJ Comets:

The NY/NJ Comets are kicking off their inaugural season in 2013 as the newest member of National Pro Fastpitch. Games are being played at minor league baseball venues in New York and New Jersey, with an outreach series in Pennsylvania. For more information about the NY/NJ Comets and to order game tickets, visit http://www.cometsprosoftball.com.

About National Pro Fastpitch:

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

http://cometsprosoftball.com/index.php/comets-media/press-releases/9-uncategorised/170-comets-press-release-10

The Indianapolis Indians and 240 Pounds of Cole

The Lehigh Valley Ironpigs had a taste of the Indianapolis Indians last week and came away with 3 losses and just 1 win. The month of April came to an end with Indianapolis as the only team in the International League to reach the 20 win mark. Their 20-7 record tops the Durham Bulls, leaders of the South Division with an 18-8 record and the North leading Buffalo Bisons at 17-7.

But if you think the Ironpigs saw the best that the Indianapolis Indians have to offer, you have another thing coming because on Friday night the Indians will be dishing out 240 pounds of Cole at Coca-Cola Park. In the June, 2011 Major League player draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates had the first pick and selected 6’4″ 240 pound right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole from UCLA. Cole almost went unsigned but just 15 minutes before the August 15, 2011 signing deadline, an $8 million bonus was enough to get him to put his name on a Pirates contract.

While at UCLA, Cole combined with current Cleveland prospect Trevor Bauer to form the best 1-2 pitching combination in college baseball. In 2010 Cole was 11-4 at UCLA while Bauer was 12-3 leading UCLA to a 51-17 record, best in school history. After Cole was selected number 1 in the 2011 draft, Trevor Bauer was selected two picks later. Bauer has already pitched in the majors, starting 4 games with Arizona in 2012. He was then involved in a big off-season trade that brought him to Cleveland where he just made his 2nd start of 2013, beating the Phillies Wednesday night. Meanwhile, Gerrit Cole is still waiting to make his big league debut.

Because of the late signing in 2011, Gerrit Cole didn’t make his minor league debut until the 2011 Arizona Fall League and then he began 2012 at Class A Bradenton where he went 5-1 2.55 before being promoted to AA Altoona in the Eastern League. He went 3-6 2.90 in AA and finished the 2012 season with 1 start in Indianapolis. He has made 5 starts with Indianapolis in 2012 and is currently 2-1 with a 2.31 ERA, but he has walked 15 in 23.1 innings which is a bit surprising because last year he walked just 45 in 132 innings. The scouting reports say he has a fastball that can reach 98 mph which goes well with a good hard slider. His curveball and changeup aren’t quite in the same category as his power pitches but they are improving. Besides being the number 1 prospect in the Pirates organization, he is also rated the 9th best prospect in all of baseball according to mlb.com and 7th best by Baseball America. If he continues to pitch well it won’t be long until he makes his first start with the Pirates, but, on Friday night he’ll be matched up against Tyler Cloyd in the Lehigh Valley. He’ll become the first pitcher who was selected first in the MLB Draft to start a game at Coca-Cola Park since Kris Benson pitched for the Ironpigs in 2008 and Bryan Bullington started a game for the Buffalo Bisons on August 11, 2008, coincidentally against Benson. Cole, Benson and Bullington were all drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Game 1 of the 4 game series on Thursday with the Indianapolis Indians is Dance Team Night and the game begins at 7:05. Fireworks will follow the 7:05 game on Friday night while the 6:35 game on Saturday is Hispanic Heritage Night in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. The first 3,000 adults 21 and older will receive a free Ironpigs Margarita glass courtesy of Metro PCS. The series finale on Sunday is at 1:35 and the first 3,000 adults 18 and older will receive an Ironpigs baseball cap courtesy of the National MS Society. It looks like it’s going to be a nice spring weekend so come out and cheer for the Ironpigs.

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May 1, 2013 · 2:38 pm

IronPigs and Reading Swap Pitchers

Per @mldrago on Twitter:

“Justin Friend, struggling with Lehigh Valley, will return to Reading roster Thursday”

“Tom Cochran will join Lehigh Valley Thursday and start for the Iron Pigs Saturday, according to Reading manager Dusty Wathan”

Maybe they’ll wave to each other as they pass on Rt 222.

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May 1, 2013 · 12:46 pm

State of the IronPigs – April Showers

With today’s travel day I thought it would be a good time to review the IronPigs April performance.

First, let’s look at the team as a whole.

Pitching

ERA – 11th of 14 teams at 5.07. (Indianapolis leading with 2.58)

Hits allowed – 8th of 14 with 204. (Rochester leading with 135)

Runs allowed – 4th of 14 with 133 allowed. (Syracuse allowed the most with 149)

Walks allowed – 3rd of 14 with 112 walks. (Pawtucket leading with 122)

Strikeouts – 13th of 14 with 165. (Durham leading with 257)

*****

Hitting

Avg – 6th of 14 with .255 avg. (Buffalo leading with .305 avg)

Hits – 7th of 14 with 211. (Durham leading with 243)

RBI – 5th of 14 with 103. (Durham leading with 141)

HR – 3rd of 14 with 23. (Buffalo leading with 27)

*****

The pitching is struggling with control, the high walks and lower strikeout numbers confirm our frustration while watching/listening to the games in April. With pitching woes clearly showing in stats… the hitting stats can be misleading.

The Pigs are hitting, but those stats are skewed by blowout wins/losses. We’ve seen more than a few teenage scores on both sides of the scoreboard this season so far.

*****

Looking to the individual efforts

The Hitters

After the first full month Cesar Hernandez is hitting .375 good for third overall in the International League and is the league hits leader with 36 and is tops in triples with 3. Cesar’s 7 stolen bases are good for 8th overall, 1 base behind Rich Thompson down in Durham. The 22 year old switch hitting prospect also boasts 8 RBI and 7 stolen bases. Watching him at CCP reminds me of Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen.

Next up is veteran Josh Fields. While his playing time has been limited in National League affiliate games (No DH) Fields has kept it respectable with a .315 average and showing some hustle out there with 2 doubles and 2 triples to go with his 3 home runs. His on base percentage of .373 is second only to Hernandez (.417). Fields could easily step in to a Phillie’s infield role if the need arises.

…that scores Steve Susdorf for the first run.

Steve Susdorf also has had limited playing time but in 12 games he is hitting a solid .280 with 5 RBI and 3 doubles. He has only struck out 4 times in 25 at bats.

GREAT shot of Castro’s infield double. THAT is why you hustle!
(c) Cheryl Pursell

Outfielder Leandro Castro, hitting .273 has added to the speed of the team swiping 5 stolen bases second on the team to Hernandez. He also has 6 doubles and 2 HR on the season.

Photo – Noise Nation

Michael Martinez is also hitting .273 but in fewer games than Castro. Only appearing in 17 games the shortstop has 1 extra base hit and 5 RBI. He has stolen 2 bases and has been caught stealing twice.

Darin Ruf made his first appearance at 1st base. Photo – Cheryl Pursell

Darin “Babe” Ruf has been hot lately and brought his spring average up to .267. He leads the IronPigs with 9 doubles (Good for 4th in the league) and is second in HR with 4 while leading the team in RBI with 15. Ruf could be very dangerous at the plate this summer if he stays at hot as he is now.

Cody Asche adds another double. Photo – Cheryl Pursell

Cody Asche. Hitting .265 Cody leads the team in HR’s with 5 and has been solid with 11 RBI in 22 games. He has 22 strikeouts though, only 2nd most on the team behind Ruf with 24.

Jermaine Mitchell. Mitchell is hitting and even .250 and a total of 7 extra base hits. (5 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR) Mitchell also drove in 5 runs so far.

Overbeck’s HR. Photo – Cheryl Pursell

Cody Overbeck is leading the team in HRs with 5 and hitting .250 as well. Cody has 12 RBI and is on the higher end of the strike out scale with Asche and Ruf.

Steve Lerud is hitting .233 in 9 games behind the plate for the Pigs. He does have 2 HR and 5 RBI so his time hasn’t been wasted. Steve’s playing time is hampered with prospect Tommy Joseph as the #1 catcher but he’s been good off the bench.

Joseph throws out his first baserunner of the season! Photo – Cheryl Pursell

Tommy Joseph has been struggling but showing signs of hope. His .207 average doesn’t reflect his efforts and with warmer weather coming he should get a solid grip and improve. His .207 average is the 3rd worse on the team but he does have 3 HR and 14 RBI to his credit. Those numbers, and his level of play, will improve over the season.

Pete Orr. Who would have thought Pete would have been listed this late. If you hadn’t figured it out I am posting in order of batting average highest to lowest and I’ve only got one more IronPig to go. Pete is hitting .163 in 17 games with one extra base hit to his name. This is one of those head shakers. We know Pete can play and I guarantee we will see improvements over April for him. Everyone has a bad month now and then and I’m saying he becomes a threat soon.

Gillies scores! Photo – Cheryl Pursell

Tyson Gillies. While his .148 average looks poor, it has been rising lately. He has a triple and home run under his belt along with 4 stolen bases. Tyson needs playing time and when he’s ready he will hit like we know he is capable of.

******

The Pitchers

I’m going to list the pitchers by ERA regardless of Starter vs. Reliever.

Savery file photo
(c) Cheryl Pursell

Joe Savery is 1-0 with a .93 ERA. His call up to fill a role with the Phillies wasn’t a fluke and unless someone in Philadelphia doesn’t show improvement soon he will be replacing them.

Jimenez. Photo – Cheryl Pursell

Cesar Jimenez is 0-1 with a 1.69 ERA. He has 2 starts to his credit of 6 game appearances and has struck out 15 while walking only 3. Not bad Cesar, not bad at all.

Justin DeFratus is 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA. Justin seems to be filling the role Michael Schwimer did 2 years ago as the pitcher of record for late inning rally wins. In 9 games he’s struck out 11 and walked only 4. DeFratus has the stuff for the Phillie’s bullpen just need a spot to open up.

Adam Morgan. 1-2 with a 3.23 ERA. In 5 game starts Adam has struck out 20 and walked 9. He’s had some control issues but AAA is the place to work them out. It’s also early in the season and he will be around for a while.

Photo – Noise Nation

J.C. Ramirez. No record with a 3.60 ERA. JC has pitched in 4 games, a total of 5 innings for the IronPigs and has allowed 2 earned runs. Didn’t get much time with the Pigs but did an ok job.

Rosenberg pitched well. Photo – Cheryl Pursell

B.J. Rosenberg. Rosenberg is 0-2 with a 4.79 ERA in 4 games striking out 16 while walking 10. He too is struggling with control but has the potential to work out of it. Keep an eye on him later in the season.

Zach Miner. Miner is 1-1 with a 5.19 ERA in 7 games. Zach is in the More walks than strikeouts club walking 10 and striking out only 5. This guy is a veteran and if anyone on the team can get back into the strike zone it will be him.

Mike Stutes had a good outing tonight! Photo – Cheryl Pursell

Michael Stutes. 1-2 with a 6.39 ERA. I really believe Mike should be in the Phillie’s pen. I know his stats and effort this spring really doesn’t reflect that but he is better than this. Once the winter cobwebs and frustrations clear he will be himself again and become deserving of moving up.

Diekman file photo (c) Decal

Jake Diekman. 1-0 with a 6.55 ERA. 14 walks, 7 strikeouts. Control. Control. Control. Look for him to improve as the weather does.

Tyler Cloyd – Perfect through 6 (Photo courtesy of Cheryl Pursell)

Tyler Cloyd. 0-3 with a 6.67 ERA. Last year’s IL Pitcher of the Year is struggling with control. New year, new catcher, new uniforms… who knows. Tyler has caught the IronPig pitcher’s control bug and the results are showing. Still, Tyler has struck out 22 while walking 11 but he definitely has better days ahead. Cloyd will be in Philly before the year is done.

Justin Friend went 3 scoreless innings in relief. Photo – Cheryl Pursell

Justin Friend. 1-1 with a 7.07 ERA. In 14 innings he has struck out 10 and walked 13. How many walks can a team issue? Killing the stats and more importantly the win column. Friend needs some developmental time and he’ll be alright.

Ethan Martin – Still Kram’s Choice For Best Hair. Photo – Cheryl Pursell

Ethan Martin. 1-2 with a 7.66 ERA. Martin has struck out a team high of 23 batters but also walked a team high of 20. He’s riding the same train as the others. Perhaps we need to check the water in the clubhouse?

Jonathan Pettibone. 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA in 2 games. Yes, the Pettibone that is killing it up with the Phillies right now. Stats don’t make a player and don’t produce results. Each and every player listed above should take note of that.

*****

This is a young team with scattered vets mixed in. They are working to gel together and develop the talents they have. Many other teams out there are heavy on AAAA vets and are leading the pack but this season’s IronPigs are a high quality group of prospects. Prospects are learning and learn by mistakes. Keep the faith Pig Fans. No one, especially me, enjoys losing baseball but it is baseball and it’s in our backyard.

OinK!

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April 30, 2013 · 7:57 pm

Prepare Yourself for Phantoms Hockey

I didn’t really pay much attention to hockey as a kid. I don’t know what icing is despite looking it up on Wikipedia nor do I understand every detail of the game. Maybe you’re like me or perhaps you are a rabid hockey fan ready for the Phantoms to start their first season here in the Lehigh Valley.

Either way, my preparations included watching some classic (and not so classic) hockey movies to get ready for Lehigh Valley hockey!

I started off with the Mighty Ducks. Perhaps not the greatest hockey movie but it does have its moments:

How could you not love a Knucklepuck?

Ducks fly together!

I moved onto a newer movie, “Goon” starring the guy everyone recognizes as Stiffler from American Pie.

Although not a hockey movie, Happy Gilmore does have a few hockey “moments”

Then there’s Mystery Alaska! Love this movie…

I couldn’t find any online clips from Miracle on Ice but I did find footage of the last minute of the actual game.

And finally, perhaps the greatest hockey movie ever made. Slapshot.

Complete with action..

…and some comedy.

Enjoy!

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April 30, 2013 · 12:59 pm

GAME PREVIEW: STEELHAWKS LOOK TO TAME LIONS

Bethlehem, PA: The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (2-4), coming off a series of tough losses, will be battling the Columbus Lions (3-3) when they come to the Valley this Sunday, May 5th for a 4pm game. The game is deemed Health Awareness Night and is presented by St. Luke’s University Health Network. It will also feature a Precious Metal Dance clinic prior to the game, and special performance by all the participants at half time.

The Steelhawks defense needs to find its rhythm again as they face a top scoring offense in Columbus. The Lions are led by QB Marcus Jones, he is their top passer (821 yds, 16 tds) and rusher (108 yds, 6 tds). He has found solid targets in three different receivers, all with more than 20 receptions on the season- Maurice Dupree (36 catches, 601 yds, 12 tds), Jarmon Fortsen (21 catches, 229 yds, 3 tds), and Gerald Gales (20 catches, 279 yds, 8 tds).

Lehigh Valley has been dangerous on offense every week. QB Adam Bednarik (1,275 yds, 22 tds, on 69% completion rate) utilizes all his receiving weapons; all three receivers have more than 300 yds already this year- Tom Gilson (46 catches, 412 yds, 7 tds), Tyrone Collins (30 catches, 318 yds, 8 tds), and Torieal Gibson (27 catches, 399 yds, 5 tds).

Kickoff is slated for 4:05 (EST), this Sunday. Steelhawk 2013 home games will be broadcast on Service Electric TV2 Sports.

The Steelhawks will be on the road in Knoxville for their game next week but then will return back home to the Valley for their final two home games of the season May 18th and 25th. The game on the 18th is Non Profit Awareness night and is also a night dedicated to the Race for Adam.

The Steelhawks have been working hard, both on and off the field, filling their roster with a ton of talent and adding great partners to the Steelhawk family. The Steelhawks’ 2013 PIFL schedule is now available online and individual and season tickets are available. Get your season ticket flex plans now and you will get a FREE Steelhawk 9th Man jersey, and be entered to win a FREE vacation from Boscov’s Travel! For further information please call Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Clark at (610) 282-3100, or visit our website at http://www.LVSteelhawks.com for the latest Steelhawks news!

Fans are reminded that 2013 season ticket flex plans are available. You can reserve your seats by calling the Steelhawks front office at 610-282-3100.

The Steelhawks are a PROFESSIONAL Arena Football team that plays in The Professional Indoor Football League. The PIFL (www.proifl.com) is a seven team league with franchises in six states. The league holds a 12-game regular season schedule that runs March through June. The PIFL’s playoffs culminate in late June with the PIFL Championship Cup. Season ticket packages start as low as $8 per game (or $48 for the full season) and games are an exciting event for people of the Lehigh Valley to attend on weekend nights.

Valley Preferred Cycling Center – The Velodrome Visit – Part I

My childhood home was 3 miles from The Lehigh County Velodrome (as it was so titled then) and I have fond memories of Friday night visits as a teenager.

When I discovered some of our friends had taken an opportunity to work for the non-profit Valley Preferred Cycling Center (as it is now titled), I contacted them to see what they were up to and what is happening this summer at the track.

So courtesy of Alicia Marinelli and Matt Hagen I had the recent pleasure to visit The Velodrome, located at 1151 Mosser Road,

Breinigsville, PA 18031 on a beautiful spring day.

In Part I of this series we’ll take a look at some hot off the presses marketing material including the 2013 Racing Schedule, Cycling Development Programs, and end with some views of a sunny spring day in T-Town.

(Don’t forget this Saturday’s (May 4th) upcoming VeloFest detailed in this post.)

The Velodrome has some exciting races and events coming this season – with Alicia and Matt on board along with Executive Director Marty Nothstein, it’s going to be a HOT Summer in T-Town!

Speaking of two time Olympic medalist Marty Nothstein, be sure to stay tuned for Part II where we sit down for a candid conversation covering his career, what’s coming up at The Velodrome and even a few other surprises.

World Series of Bicycling – 2013 Schedule

The World Series of Bicycling will bring Olympic action to the Valley Preferred Cycling Center every Friday night this summer. The Friday night lineup, starting June 7th, is a mix of sprint and endurance events that will bring the world’s best track cycling talent to T-Town this summer. Last season, VPCC brought in racers from 13 countries, including 12 Olympians.

Click image to enlarge

Air Products Developmental Cycling Program

For 35 years the Air Products Developmental Cycling Program at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center has been the starting point for many of America’s best track cyclists. From Olympic Gold Medalist and multiple World Champion Marty Nothstein and former Junior World Champion Sarah Uhl, to current champions Bobby Lea and Kim Geist; the Air Products program is recognized around the globe for its legendary graduates.

Click image for viewable/printable PDF

Red Robin Marty Nothstein Bicycle Racing League

The Red Robin Marty Nothstein Bicycle Racing League (BRL) introduces new riders ages 9-16 with no previous experience to the thrill and excitement of bicycle racing. The 2013 BRL program format consists of five teams that will practice and race for eight to ten weeks before the season culminates with the Team Championships at the nation’s premier outdoor track cycling facility, the Valley Preferred Cycling Center.