The program is led by Head Coach Jennifer Nichols. Nichols previously served as the director and coach of the Helena High School Mountain Bike Team from September 2019 to July 2022. She is USA Cycling Safe Sport trained, has a coaching certification from the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) and has completed the Bike Instructor Certification Program in Birmingham, Alabama. Nichols is also a Level 3 certified USA Cycling coach.
Scholarships available
All members of the UM cycling team will be offered scholarships.
Year-round riding season
Central Alabama’s moderate climate allows for riding year-round. In addition to the new UM home course just off campus, Montevallo is also close to multiple highly rated courses, including Oak Mountain State Park, Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park and the Cahaba River Park trail system. Learn more about Oak Mountain State Park here.
Data-backed conditioning programs
Dr. Shawn Mitchell, associate professor of health and human sciences, helped organize the cycling program. As chair of the UM Health and Human Sciences program, Mitchell is able to utilize the University’s exercise physiology lab to perform exercise and performance tests to aid in developing team conditioning programs. This advantage is unique to Montevallo.
Award-winning University
The University of Montevallo has been named a College of Distinction for the past 11 years, and is routinely ranked as the top university in its class and region by U.S. News & World Report. The UM Exercise and Nutrition Science program was recently named among the top in the nation. UM students also typically graduate with far lower student debt than their peers at other institutions.
Want to learn more about UM and the cycling program?
You can complete the UM cycling interest form below. You can learn more about UM and apply for admission here. You can also email us at cycling@montevallo.edu.
