Keystone Mountain Bike Team asks Abington Heights to allow in-school advertising, officials suggest club route

Representatives of the Keystone Mountain Bike Team asked the Abington Heights board to allow advertising for the nonprofit team inside district middle and high schools so students know the opportunity exists.

Ariana (team coach) said the Keystone team is part of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League (PICKLE) and typically fields middle-school and high-school squads; about 40 riders participate locally in a given year and roughly half of them come from Abington Heights. She said the team fundraises for operations and coaches are volunteers; registered athletes receive insurance through the league.

Student athlete Ethan Horitz described seven years on the team and said the sport “has changed my life,” including competitive training and travel. Joe Tierney, who represents the Lackawanna State Park Trail Care crew, described volunteer trail work—including a summer project to restore a pedestrian tunnel—and framed the team as a community resource. Cindy Copley, a high-school counselor who helped start the local program, said the team has provided opportunities for students who do not fit traditional team sports.

Superintendent Dr. Schaeffer and district staff encouraged the group to consider formally establishing a school club; Dr. Schaeffer said the district would support advertising and suggested the group pursue a club application and potential grants (the transcript referenced an Outride/Specialized grant program that previously provided bicycles and curriculum to selected schools). A district staff member (Dr. Tione referenced in discussion) said a form exists to request official school recognition for clubs and Dr. Schaeffer said he had no problem with advertising the team while the organizers pursue formal club status.

No formal board action was required; staff said they would provide the club-application form and guidance on next steps.