From a Rider on the 1956 ATO Little 500 Team...

Thanks to Bruce Smith '56 for submitting the following...

He writes, "My most memorable moment as an ATO was the privilege and honor to be a member of the 1956 ATO Little 500 bike race team.  I had considered myself somewhat of an athlete since I had played four years of football for Emerson High, Gary, Indiana and one year on scholarship for the University of Michigan.  However  I underestimated the practice and conditioning necessary to compete in the Little 500.  My formidable team mates were Jerry Young, Brad Laycock, John Reid, John Rogge and Clyde Roundtree. Our  team strategy was very simple, the four riders would each ride as fast and as many laps they could and then would exchange to a fresh rider and continue.  The 1956 race was held on the cinder track around the football field at the now gone, Memorial Stadium. I was just happy to ride my laps, avoid accidents, not fall down and finish the race. I have never experienced such physical exhaustion before or since, including Army basic training and I am sure my team mates expended all the energy within their bodies. This was a very memorable event for me and is still deep within my memories."

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