Danzeisen '98 Supports New Prep Club

Over the past two years, a brand new club has been making some waves at the Prep, and thanks to the generosity of an alumnus it has begun to grow. The Mountain Biking Club was started by Religious Studies Teacher Dino Pinto two years ago. At first it was just a way for Pinto and some students to get together and take on some trails in the area, but this year they joined the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, competing against other area teams. “We have had good interest for being a niche sport, with 7 or 8 students who participate regularly,” said Pinto, “As more kids find out about who we are, interest has grown.”

Another factor that has helped the club’s growth is the generosity of Mark Danzeisen ‘98. Danzeisen, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the crew team while at the Prep, works as a sales rep at Sport Tech, a company specializing in outdoor sports such as mountain biking. Sporting goods run in his blood, as Mark’s parents own and operate Danzeisen and Quiqley, a well known South Jersey sporting goods outfitter specializing in skiing, cycling, snowboarding, tennis, golf, and rollerblading.

After coming across Mark’s name, Patti Frey, the Prep’s Director of Development, saw a natural connection between him and the newly formed mountain biking club. She invited Mark to come back to 17th and Girard to speak to the club last year but Mark didn’t stop there -- later that year, he donated a brand new mountain bike to the club as well as gloves, helmets, and great discounts on other necessary equipment. “Other sports and activities at the Prep have great established alumni connections,” said Danzeisen. Being brand new, the mountain biking club did not and this helpful boost from Mark helped the club tremendously.

“When I was rowing at the Prep, a lot of the coaching staff were alums who were giving of their time,” remembers Danzeisen. “That made my experience special and had a big impact on me, and I wanted to be able to do something similar. As alums, we want to create equal, if not better, experiences for current Prep students. I hope I’m helping to do that.”

Pinto says that the club fits perfectly with Prep’s Jesuit ideals, “We try to make it fun by encouraging friendly competition,” says Pinto. “Our team core values are: Equality, Inclusivity, Strong Mind, Strong Body and Strong Character.”