Throughout its proud 61 year history, the Sigma Chi bike team has proven to be one of the top teams in the Little 500. With a victory in 1994 and dozens of Top 5 finishes, there are a lot of aspirations within the team to push harder.
This year’s team is young, yet in a short amount of time there has been a lot of improvement. It consists of three freshmen, Zach Unes, Parker Bessert and Will Thannert along with a sophomore captain, Edward Sammons. They have managed to qualify for this year’s race as a 26th seed and are determined to push forward in the ranks during the race.
In the 2022 Little 500 Race, Sigma Chi finished 23/33, beating their projected placement. Congratulations to Peter Sammons, Zach Unes, Parker Bessert and Will Thannert!
History of the Sigma Chi bike team and Little 500
The Sigma Chi Lambda Chapter bike team has a long and storied history of participation in the Little 500 race at Indiana University. The race, which began in 1951, is an annual event that takes place in the third wee of April, and is considered to be one of the premier collegiate cycling events in the United States. The Sigma Chi Lambda Chapter bike team first began participating in the race in the early 1960s, and quickly established itself as a formidable competitor.Throughout the years, the bike team has consistently performed well in the Little 500 race. We’re known for our strong teamwork and dedication to training, which has helped us achieve several podium finishes over the years. In the early 1970s, our team won the race for the first time, and went on to repeat their victory in the following year. The team continued to perform well in the race throughout the 1970s and 1980s, consistently placing in the top five.
Little 500 Winning Sigma Chi bike team of 1994
In the 1990s, the bike team began to experience a resurgence in its Little 500 performance, winning the race in 1994. The team also established a strong tradition of mentoring and supporting the newer teams, and this helped to foster a sense of community among all of the teams competing in the race.In recent years, the bike team has continued to perform well in the Little 500 race. Our team has also been recognized for its commitment to safety and sportsmanship. Today, the Sigma Chi Lambda Chapter bike team is considered to be a strong contender at Indiana University, and continues to be an important part of the Little 500 race.