When Marian University alumnus and four-time national track cycling champion Tom Hanley founded Nine13sports in 2011, he did so with a mission shaped by both triumph and adversity. After a commercial vehicle accident abruptly ended his cycling career and shifted his plans of becoming a lawyer, Hanley found strength in the way Indianapolis rallied around him. Determined to give back, he turned to the tool that had always grounded him — the bicycle.
What began as a one-person operation serving around 1,000 kids in its first year has grown into an 11-member Nine13sports team now reaching more than 50,000 young people annually across Central Indiana. Through innovative, movement-centered programming, Tom and his team are empowering kids with confidence, connection, and healthy habits — all fueled by the same resilience that carried him through competitive cycling.
Now, Tom is taking that mission further through his new podcast, where he shares stories of community, perseverance, and the power of purpose-driven work. Just as Nine13sports has helped thousands of children find joy and possibility, his podcast offers listeners an inspiring look at what happens when passion meets service — and how one Marian Knight continues pedaling forward to make a difference.