Black Key Bulls

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Black Key Bulls

Team information

UCI code

BKB

Based

United States

Founded

2006

Discipline(s)

Track

Key personnel

General manager

David Choinacky

BKB in 2007 Little 500, April 2007.

Black Key Bulls Cycling Team (BKB) is a highly ranked cycling team which competes in the Little 500 series the IUSF events. The team has been rebuilt as a Little 500 team by David Choinacky a former rider for the Black Key Bulls Bike-A-Thon race of Ball State University.

Founded in Ball State. “It was a joke,” Bob Otalski said. “A joke between my brother and I.” Richard Otalski was a member of the Blue Key Honorary Fraternity, and Bob came up with the idea to start a group called the Black Key Dishonorary. Later someone thought of using the Schlitz Malt Liquor Bull as the group's mascot and emblem, and thus, the Black Key Bulls were born.

[edit] History

Black Key Bulls - 1969 victory.

How it all got started

The Beatles had yet to visit America and John Kennedy was still president when Bob Otoski and his brother Richard started a joke in 1961 that would turn into one of the most successful independent Bike-A-Thon teams and intramural athletic groups Ball State has ever seen.

“It was a joke,” Bob Otalski said. “A joke between my brother and I.” Richard Otalski was a member of the Blue Key Honorary Fraternity, and Bob came up with the idea to start a group called the Black Key Dishonorary. Later someone thought of using the Schlitz Malt Liquor Bull as the group's mascot and emblem, and thus, the Black Key Bulls were born.

David Choinacky Wins in 1993

The Black Key organization never had a permanent hangout. It didn’t require dues and its members didn’t go through initiation. They were, in the words of one former Bull, a “disorganized organization.” Former sponsor Dick Stucky came to know may of the members through what is termed a “Godfather” relationship. He’d help them out when they had problems and sponsored many of their teams. “They were just guys who were ex-athletes. Guys that came to college to be varsity athletes and decided not to”, Stucky said. “Guys that got disenchanted with Greek life, but I knew couple of them who pledged and then found out it wasn’t for them. It was just a bunch of guys who had a hell of a good time. They were serious about their cycling though.”

It wasn't all about the bikes though, the Black Key members who weren’t as serious about their cycling were known to party. The party and the cycling team continues as the Black Key Bulls enter a new chapter in their illustrious history with their inaugural Little 500 team in 2006.

Bike-a-thon-Ball States version of the Little 500. The race is similar in many ways, some of the main differences being teams of five and a half mile track.

IT WASN'T ALL ABOUT CYCLING

BK Bulls football team, all university champions 1970

BK wrestling team, all university champions 1969,1970

BK track team, all university champions, 1970

[edit] 2006 season

Isaac Neff , C.T. Blackwell , Ryan Knapp , Torry Kiddle , David Choinacky , Scott Mueller(front) After the 2006 Little 500.

[edit] The Race

Starting in 22nd position Isaac looked to get to the front of the pack as soon as possible and within the first 6 laps he had moved his way up just as we had planned. The team stayed within the top 10 for the early parts of the race, thanks to great sets and smooth exchanges. After a few crashes by other teams and a break away by ATO it looked to be a race for second as ATO lapped the field. Knowing anything could happen the team remained confident continued to ride strong, however on lap 120 a rider from Delta Upsilon veered in front of Torrey and took him down. Luckily Tori was able to make back on the bike, but time was lost and The Black Keys went down 2 laps to ATO and 1 lap to the rest of the leading teams. The men pressed on as a top 10 finish was still a possibility. Riding mostly with the pack the rest of the way the guys sprinted in at 7th place. The team really did race well and their 7th place finish is outstanding, but you just wonder what would have happened if they weren't in that wreck. But that is the Little 500 for you and the team will be back next year to improve on this years race.

[edit] Qualifications

The plan: Neff to Knapp to Blackwell to Neff, "Lets go for pole!" On a cold day filled with wind rain and snow, things looked good as the BKB's took to the track for their first qualification attempt. The sun started to shine as Isaac sped around for the first lap, unfortunately the speed was too great, the timing was off on the exchange and a foul was called. Minutes later the team was back on the track for there second attempt, Isaac did his job on the first lap and Ryan rode his best lap of the year, but during his exchange to CT there was trouble leading to a mishandle of the bike and Ryan falling and injuring himself. A second foul was called and the team was forced to wait until the end of the day for their third and final attempt. With Ryan's injury forcing him to the hospital the uncertainty of their teammates health added to an already tense situation. On the third attempt the goal was just to get in, nervous team supporters sat watching and praying that the third time would be a charm for the team. Isaac and CT both rode 2 laps each, the exchanges were safe and they successfully qualified for the Little 500. The team will be starting in 22nd position, on the inside of row 8. While the team hoped to be starting farther up the main goal was to make the race. It's not where you start its where you finish!

[edit] Individual Time Trials

Congratulations to all the Black Keys that competed in the ITT (one mile race against the clock). CT Blackwell - 22nd place Isaac Neff - 25th place Scott Mueller - 94th place Junha Kem - 118th place Torrey Kittle - 142nd place Brian Goodspeed - 152nd place

[edit] Miss-n-out

Black Key Bulls make a statement. Awesome job! Isaac made it to the finals finishing 6th, CT made it to the semifinals and Scott made it out of the first round. Perhaps people will begin to take notice.

[edit] Team Pursuit

Rained Out

[edit] 2007 season

Ryan Knapp , Isaac Neff , Andy Roberts , C.T. Blackwell , After the 2007 Little 500.

[edit] The Race

After beginning the race in 6th position (outside second row) the Black Key Bulls joined Phi Kappa Psi, Team Major Taylor, the Cutters and Dodds House as they distanced themselves from the rest of the field. Several attempts to push the pace and force a selection by each team were all reeled back in and the finish looked to be a 5-team sprint. With the Cutters sitting on the front on the inside, the teams went into the final lap still together. The Black Key Bulls finished 3rd in the sprint behind second place Phi Psi and the first place Cutters.

[edit] Qualifications

The Black Key Bulls drew an early start time for the 2007 Qualifications. Ryan Knapp kicked things off, exchanging to Isaac Neff, then C.T. Blackwell, and Andy Roberts finished off the attempt, which was good. Clock stopped at 2:23.88 which was good for a 6th place starting position on the outside of row 2.

[edit] Individual Time Trials

Congratulations to all the Black Keys that competed in the ITT (4-lap, one mile race against the clock). Isaac Neff - 4th place CT Blackwell - 11nd place Ryan Knapp - 17th place Mike Richardson - 43rd place Scott Mueller - 54th place Mark Miller - 71st place Valentin Todorow - 98th place Andy Roberts - 100th place Junha Kem - 122th place

153 contestants

[edit] Miss-n-out

BKB puts two in the finals.

[edit] Team Pursuit

A solid team effort is good for 4th place

[edit] 2008 season

Isaac Neff , Jordan Bailey , Scott Mueller , Valentin Todorow , After the 2008 Little 500.

[edit] The Race

Started in 17th place. finished in 8th.

[edit] Qualifications

Horrible weather put BKB in 17th place behind Dodds.

[edit] Individual Time Trials

Congratulations to all the Black Keys that competed in the ITT (4-lap, one mile race against the clock). Isaac Neff - 1st place Jordan Bailey - 13th place Valentin Todorow - 14th place Ren-Jay Shei - 32nd place Scott Mueller - 45th place

151 contestants

[edit] Miss-n-out

Isaac Neff - 1st place Ren-Jay Shei - semi finals

[edit] Team Pursuit

A solid team effort is good for 4th place

[edit] Riders

Name	Born	Nationality	Enter	Until
Isaac Neff	1986	United States	2006
Andrew Roberts	1986	United States	2007
Valentin Todorow	1986	Bulgaria	2007
Scott Mueller	1984	United States	2006
Ren-Jay Shei	1988	United States	2008
Jordan Bailey	1988	United States	2008
C.T. Blackwell	1984	United States	2006	2007

[edit] Coaches

Name	Home Town	Accomplishments
David Choinacky	Indianapolis, IN	1993, 1994, 1995 bike-a-thon champion, (2000-2002 Teter & 2003-2005 Sigma Chi)
Michael Choinacky	South Bend, IN	2001 Little 500 Runner Up, 2001 All Star Rider, (1999 Collins, 2000-2002 Teter Cycling)

[edit] Alumni

Name	Year(s)	Accomplishments
John Baker	19--	rider
Kenny Bubp	19--	rider
Jim Choinacky	19--	rider
David Choinacky	19--	rider
Brad Dininger	19--	rider
Al Fierst	1972-1973	rider
Chuck Gillespie	19--	rider
Donovan Guyot	19--	rider
Larry Holloway	19--	rider
Norm Houze	19--	rider
TJ Keene	19--	rider
Torrey Kittle	2006	rider
Kevin Kremke	19--	rider
Tom Lambert	19--	rider
Joe Law	1972-1975	rider
Oscar Luebke	19--	rider, bike catcher
Angelo Marasco	19--	rider
Joe McGregor	19--	rider
Greg Mingus	19--	rider
Jeff Noffsinger	19--	rider
Gary Pence	19--	rider
Larry Redden	19--	rider
Ron Salvino	19--	rider
JB Stebbens	19--	rider
Dick Stuckey	19--	The Godfather
Les Swantner	19--	rider
Larry Swantner	19--	rider
Sandy White	19--	rider
C.T. Blackwell	2006-2007	BKB rider
Ryan Knapp	2006-2007	rider