GW Cycling Wins $5,500 in Zipcar Credit in Online Contest


March 15, 2012

two cyclist biking down road

The GW cycling team travels up and down the East Coast to compete in the Atlantic Collegiate Cycling Conference, so reliable transportation is essential.

Fortunately for GW cycling, the team will get a boost from Zipcar as winners of the company’s Students with Drive Contest in January.

With 348 votes, the cycling team earned the most votes in the athletics category, defeating the Pomona-Pitzer Super Fans and College of William and Mary’s Team Blitz to win $5,500 in Zipcar credit.

“We are thrilled to have won this contest,” said junior John Macchione. “We have taken Zipcar to three out of the six races so far this season.”

The GW community is invited to a celebration Monday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Kogan Plaza, featuring free food, games and guest speakers, including Deputy Athletic Director Chris Boyer, Recreational Sports Director Aubre Jones and Zipcar D.C. General Manager Ellice Perez.

The Student with Drive contest, sponsored by Ford, provides Zipcar credit to student groups who best demonstrate how they will use Zipcar in athletics, arts, community service, academics or student life. Each month, Zipcar and Ford choose three finalists in each category, and their submissions, which include photos and videos, are posted on the Students with Drive’s Facebook page for public voting. Zipcar and Ford are giving away $37,500 a month to student groups around the country.

“Zipcar D.C. is very excited to honor the George Washington University cycling team and provide Zipcar driving credit to be used for new members and driving in Zipcars,” said Ms. Perez. “We’re thrilled that the cycling team decided to participate, and we hope that additional organizations from George Washington University will apply for the program.”

The GW cycling team entered photos and videos and a brief explanation of why they should win the prize. The team told Zipcar they would use the cars to travel for 10 different race weekends and for the conference nationals in Utah. They would also use the cars to compete in a variety of cycling races, including mountain biking and track.

“I am very proud of the work that the team put into this contest,” said Mr. Macchione. “We obtained a huge amount of votes early on. Then the Pomona-Pitzer Super Fans passed us, so our team truly stepped up to the plate. We had professional cyclists and cycling-based companies, as well as many collegiate teams, sending out messages to help us get more votes.”

Mr. Macchione said the team is now entered into a contest against all the other winners for a chance to win the grand prize: $5,000 in Zipcar credit, $10,000 in cash and $10,000 to a university scholarship fund.