Otto Eisele

Born in 1902 and died in 1976. He began as a competitor for the Unione Sportia Italiana (USI) in 1920 and remained active in the club's administration until his death. Eisele was devoted to the sport and, as a keen politician, he was successful in gaining independence for the Amateur Bicycle League of America (ABLA which is now the USCF) from the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) in 1940. The next step was to have the Union Cycliste International (the international governing body for the sport) and the American Olympic Association (now the US Olympic Committee) recognize the ABLA. This took several years of dedicated politicking nationally and internationally. The ABLA was finally admitted to the UCI and recognized by the US Olympic Committee (USOC) in 1945 and 1944 respectfully. He served as president of the ABLA for 14 years, 1934-1043, 1952, 1962-1963 and 1966. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the USOC for eight years and as a coach for the US Olympic Team in 1964. His contributions to the governing of the sport encompass both the veteran and modern divisions.

Ernie Seubert

As a competitor Ernie as a Silver Medalist in the 1945 Junior Nationals and the 1951 Senior Nationals. He was the NY Champion in 1951 and was the winner of the 1952 Tour of Somerville. He is past president of the USCF (1971-1975) and served as an elected Director for over 30 years. He has also served as Vice-president, Secretary and Technical Chairman. He has been a member of the USCO Executive Board since 1973 and currently is chair of the Athletes Insurance Committee. Ernie was president of the organizing committee for the 1978 Junior World Championships and has chaired committees organizing junior and masters national road championships in Harriman State Park, Bear Mountain, New York including the 1993 Jr. Nationals. He is past president and life member of the German Bicycle Sports Club in NYH and, in January of 1991, was awarded life membership on the USCF Board of Directors. For the 1992 Olympic Games of Barcelona, Ernie was appointed Chief de Mission by the US Olympic Committee.

Fred Mengoni

Born and raised in the east coast Italian seaport of Alcona, Mengoni dreamed, like many young Italians, of winning the Giro d’Italia. He adhered to a "killer" training regimen but eventually came to the conclusion that he lacked the ability to become a professional cyclist. He emigrated in 1957 to the US with $50 in his pocket. After a series of financial ups and downs he invested in several run-down New York City brownstones and this move led to a very successful and prosperous real estate career. In 1980 he started GS Mengoni in New York which eventually became a powerhouse team in US Bicycle racing. Among its alumni are Steve Bauer, George Hincapie and Mike McCarthy. Fred has had a longtime friendship with Greg LeMond and considers himself one of LeMond’s closest advisors. He became involved with USPRO in its early years and was instrumental in its development. Fred promotes the well known "Mengoni Grand Prix" in New York’s Central Park each year and holds the position of President of USPRO.

Barbara George

Barbara was a competitor in the Northeast in the early 70s. In 1972 she founded VELO NEWS, one of the earliest publications devoted entirely to the coverage of bicycle racing. Barbara and her publication have continued to contribute to the growth and development of bicycle racing.

Willie Honeman

Born in 1908, Willie started his racing career in the junior ranks in 1923. He won the 1924 ABL of A Junior National Championships. As a pro, he represented the US in European events from 1930 to 1935. He was the first to wear the "stars and stripes" jersey that, to this day, designates a US National Champion. His other contributions to cycling include pioneering the use of helmets, promoting races, assisting with the management the Encino, CA Velodrome and writing a book, AMERICAN VELODROME TRACK RACING in 1976.

Allen Bell

This Somerville, New Jersey resident was a member of the 1956 and 1960 US Olympic Teams which competed in Melbourne, Australia and Rome, Italy. He was also the alternate to the 1964 Games in Tokyo. Allen’s specialty was the kilometer time trial, an event in which he was to set national records on more than one occasion and win the Gold Medal in the 1959 Pan America Games in Chicago, IL. Bell’s career began with the 1949 National Junior Championships in Balboa Park in San Diego, CA where he finished fourth. He was to finish in the top three in National Championship competition on five occasions and in 1985, won the Masters National Track Championship. Five times he has finished second in the prestigious Tour of Somerville, NJ. Bell still trains and recently won the Masters 55+ event at Somerville.

Mary Jane Reoch

"Miji" was born in 1945 and was killed in a tragic training ride while coaching a client on September 17, 1993. Among her accomplishments in the competitive field include winning the National Championship eleven times, winning the Silver Medal in the 1975 Women’s World Pursuit Championship, World Championship Team member nine times, and the first American woman to break four minutes in the 3000 meter pursuit. When she retired from competition, Miji became active in coaching. She coached women's’ racing teams for over 15 years. Olympic Champion Connie Carpenter-Phinney described Miji as her mentor. Just prior to her death she completed co-authoring a book on winter training.