[Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity with Bicycles]

From its earliest days students had complained about the lack of physical training and athletic competition at Vanderbilt. Singular activities such as cycling were encouraged by the faculty who saw less rowdiness inherent in in this sport as opposed to football or baseball.  Bicycling clubs formed on campus within the first few years of the university’s opening and gained popularity by the 1890s. Fraternities such as Sigma Alpha Epsilon, shown here in front of Kissam Hall, would organize events designed for their members.