M I S S I O N
Star Track is a free, urban youth outreach program created to teach New York City area kids the fundamentals of track cycling at Kissena Velodrome in Queens. Founded in 2004, Star Track has helped thousands of children — many from under-resourced areas of the city — discover the joys and benefits of bicycle racing and has been repeatedly designated a USA Cycling Center of Excellence. The Star Track program provides the opportunity to join a competitive cycling team with elite riders from across the country, and Star Track racers have earned more than 40 National Championship jerseys. Star Track is funded entirely by sponsors and private contributions, and thanks to this generous support, the program is fee-free for New York City children aged 8-16.
Deirdre Murphy Bader (Star Track Founder)
Deirdre Murphy Bader 1959-2014 founded the Star Track Youth program in 2004 with the goal of teaching children the discipline of track cycling at Kissena Velodrome.
Deirdre became a cycling world champion in 1997, winning the Masters World Championships in the road race, and went on to participate in the Olympic games in Sydney Australia in 2000, competing in the women's road race. Deirdre Murphy Bader's legacy continues with Star Track.
Stephanie Torres (Multiple US National Champ)
Stephanie Torres is a former Star Track program rider who recently graduated from Marian University where she earned a cycling scholarship, won several gold medals at Collegiate Nationals, and helped lead the cycling team to its eighth consecutive Division I championship.
Since then Stephanie has returned to coach the next generation of Star Track cyclists.
Joshua Hartmann (US Elite National Champ)
Josh Hartman is a recent Star Track graduate and alongside teammate Joe Christiansen, a two-time U.S. Elite gold-medal winner in the team sprint. Josh is also the first graduate of the new Star Track race team, and recently participated in the 2018 Pan American Elite Track Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
Josh is now living in Colorado Springs and training with the US National track team at the US Olympic Development Center.
