The Sunshine State BMX Association Scholarship Program was  established in 2008 to honor Alice Bixler for her many contributions to the sport of BMX and to the Florida State BMX program.  Alice became involved with BMX in 1974 when she took the neighborhood kids to the local track in Sarasota.  She volunteered at the track as a scorer.  This began her love for the sport of BMX.  In 1979, the Sarasota track was sanctioned with the National Bicycle League and Florida formed the Sunshine State BMX Association.  She was elected secretary but within a few months everyone on the board resigned and she became the State Race Commissioner of Florida . . . and she's never looked back.  Under Alice's leadership, Florida created the best and largest state program in the NBL.  Florida has grown to 22 tracks in 2008 since it's humble beginnings in 1974.  The first President's Cup race was held in 1984, a state against state competition.  Florida has won the Cup 17 times, and Alice has been there for all of them!  She has also been involved with the NBL in many capacities throughout the years.  She was honored by the NBL as Volunteer of the Year in 1995 and in 2008, she was inducted into the NBL Hall of Fame.  

    In 2007, after 33 years of volunteer service, she decided that it was time to take a step back and pass the leadership role to some of the capable younger generation in the state.  She will still be involved with BMX but in a slightly lesser capacity and we hope it will be for many years to come.  Everyone knows Alice loves the kids and she has been involved with BMX for this many years because it has been all for them.  Her passion for BMX is contagious and you can see it in every one of the riders in the state of Florida.

Purpose:  The SSA Alice Bixler Scholarship program was started to assist students and their families with meeting the costs of furthering their education at an undergraduate college,
technical/trade school or graduate school.

Eligibility:  Members who have a current NBL competition license or officials license and have participated in BMX racing events sanctioned by the SSA for at least one year.

Deadline:  Must be postmarked by April 1, 2008

How Awarded:  The award will be presented to the recipient at the Florida State Season Awards Ceremony.  The actual check will be sent directly to the Financial Aid office of the recipient's intended school.

Qualifications: 
To qualify for consideration for the grant, a student must:
1) Be a Florida resident who is a high school senior, graduate or attending a post secondary school at the time of application.

2) Be accepted and plan to attend an accredited post secondary school as a full-time or part-time student for the complete award year.

3) Be an active member or official of the NBL, with participation at either the local, state or national level.

Download Application Form