LAMP Student Andrew Murray: A Rider’s Look into the Little 500 Race
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
Meet senior Andrew Murray, Political Science major pursuing the LAMP certificate. As a sophomore looking to spice up his academic repertoire, Andrew investigated possible minors, and asked his academic advisor if she saw any benefit in a business minor from Kelley. After looking through possible options in Kelley, nothing piqued his interest, so his advisor recommended he apply to LAMP.
Murray mentions that his “favorite and most rewarding” LAMP class was L-416, “Perspectives of American Consumerism,” taught by Professor Eric Metzler. He says that “While the class was challenging, it greatly improved my writing skills, introduced me to new people, and provided an environment open to debate, inquiry, and learning.” He adds that “LAMP has also really impressed upon me the value of critical thinking.”
Outside of his academics, Murray is a committed rider in the Little 500 bike race. Often referred to as the “Greatest College Weekend,” the campus engages in a week-long celebration leading up to the women’s 100-lap and men’s 200-lap races (held this year on Friday, April 22nd, and Saturday, April 23rd respectively).
Murray remembers being in the dining room of his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, when he heard rollers whirling from down the hall. He says the distinct buzzing sound lured him into the bike room where he found “a group of men prioritizing a workout over a night of going out.” He says, “It was in that moment when I witnessed the visible pain, suffering, and dedication these men were willing to put into a shared goal” that he decided he wanted to be a part of the team.
Murray and his team put a lot of time and effort into their training all year-round. In the Fall, the team does base training blocks where they do 10 to 14 hours a week on the bike, while also mixing in time at the gym. They keep up the intensity through the winter, and this past year they even trained in both California and Florida over winter break. He adds that coming back into the Spring semester, “we begin to focus on intensity and cadence while also keeping the volume high, typically averaging 12 to 16 hours a week.”
He adds that “while many view the race as a week of parties, it is much more than that. As a rider and a senior, the race represents the culmination of four years of sweat, tears, time, cinders, crashes, energy, and pain, all for one day in April.” This year’s race is the first race with fans since 2019, and Murray personally invites all LAMPers to purchase a ticket to come out and support the teams. A ticket purchase gives you access to both the women’s and men’s races, and Murray lastly says that “This beautiful tradition is only as strong as the community who preserves it, so I hope to see you all there.”
Murray lastly adds that LAMP instilled in him the value of paving your own path and trying new things while in college, which he has clearly done in his academics and in his decision to be a part of the Little 500 race.
Thank you to Andrew Murray for telling us about his experiences in LAMP and in Little 500! If you are a current LAMP or MHO student with an interesting experience to share, feel free to email us at lamp@indiana.edu.
