Midwestern State University has some northern influence this semester. Steven Charles Zamastil, 27, is the new director of the Cycling Team.

He grew up in Illinois and spent the last five years in Philadelphia as the assistant coach and director of performance services at Breakaway Bikes and Fitness.

“People here are so much more friendly than anywhere else I’ve ever been,” he said. “They have a genuine concern about other people. I really appreciate that. You don’t get a lot of that in Philly.”

He graduated magna cum laude from Augustana College in Rock Island with degrees in philosophy and history. And is close to completion of his doctorate in philosophy at Temple University in Philadelphia.

Zamastil is an accomplished and nationally ranked cyclist. He rode in the Hotter ’N Hell Hundred shortly after his arrival and is currently preparing his team for the annual USA Cycling Collegiate Track National Championships. The 2012 Championships will take place from September 20-22 at the Superdome in Frisco, Texas and is being sponsored by MSU.

“We have one of the strongest teams in the nation and that’ll be evident soon,” Zamastil said. “The team will bring home medals from the National Championships.”

The cycling team is pleased with their new director and share his optimism about the future.

“He’s a cool guy with fresh ideas, who is willing to help the team and take us to victory,” said Antonio Baca, a sophomore majoring in business.

“Charlie has been doing a great job as the new director and coach. He is a rider himself, so he came into the program with a very specific vision of how he wanted to develop the team’s riders, both on and off the bikes,” said team member, Caden Burross, a mass communications major in his junior year. “Each rider has been offered a personal training plan, a new direction has been taken in team marketing, and team bonding exercises have already increased. Everyone on the team is really happy with his arrival. He is leading the team like a pro leads the peloton.”

The team believes Zamastil’s knowledge of what’s going on in the cycling world will help them better connect with sponsors.

“He’s really organized and seems to understand what our riders need for sponsorship as well as how to communicate to our board,” said team member, Danny Robertson, a senior majoring in mass communications.

Zamastil feels MSU is entering a great time in cycling. With the open of the Cycling Testing Center on campus, a more scientific approach is being taking towards training.

Team member, Sean Brown, a senior majoring in exercise physiology was an intern at the center last spring.

“It’s equipped with five computrainers ,which simulate road-like conditions, indoors and you can compete against other people on the same program, he said. “There is also a new metabolic cart which measures VO2 capacity.”

VO2 is a measurement of the athletes’ maximal oxygen intake and usage. It shows how efficiently oxygen is being used, which is very important in cycling.

Another new development is the chance for students to minor in cycling. Team member, Jessica Prinner, a junior majoring in business finance is taking advantage of the new minor.

“I think it’s a great opportunity and I feel it will mix well with my business degree. It’ll make my credentials look good in the area of cycling for my future career,” she said.

Her goal at the moment is to get a top three at Collegiate Track Nationals. She, like the many of her teammates feel Zamastil is going to do a good job promoting the cycling team.

Zamastil’s experience and the fact he rides with them has gained the respect of the team. He likes it here at MSU.

“It’s nice. It’s very small, just like my undergrad. It’s nice to be able to run into your friends and catch up, and keep track of what your athletes are doing,” he said. “Parking is a nightmare, but I think that should encourage more people to ride bikes.”

He commutes four and a half miles to and from work.

One of Zamastil’s favorite quotes is from Greg Lemond, a three-time winner of the Tour de France. “It never hurts any less, you just go faster.”

You can follow Zamastil and the progress of the cycling team on twitter @charliezamastil and @msucyclingteam.