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USF Cycling Team Founder Fatally Hit By Truck While Biking

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By JOSH POLTILOVE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 23, 2007

TAMPA - Joshua M. Kuck was passionate about riding bikes and worked to found the University of South Florida's cycling team.

On Sunday, the Tampa resident died doing what he loved.

While riding his 2006 Specialized E-5 racing bicycle in a Dade City area event called the Hilly Hundred, he was struck by a Dodge Ram and died. He was 22.

The 12:15 p.m. accident occurred six miles north of Dade City, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.

Kuck was heading south on Clay Hill Road when he came to the County Road 41 intersection, where he ran the stop sign and made a left turn onto C.R. 41. He traveled into the path of a 2005 Dodge Ram driven by James T. Browning, 48, of Dade City, the report states.

The Dodge's right front side collided with the rear of the bike. Kuck, who was wearing a helmet, was ejected onto the road's south shoulder. Browning suffered minor injuries.

No charges have been filed.

Roads weren't closed for Sunday's open road ride, said Ruben Watson, president of the event's organizer, the Tampa Bay Freewheelers.

"Josh was instrumental in the formation of the cycling team, and most likely the team would not exist at all if it were not for him," his team's site states.

"In addition, Josh brought life to the team with his outgoing and positive attitude. The team deeply mourns his loss and it will take a great deal of time for the team to recover emotionally. At the very least, the 2008 racing will be dedicated to his spirit and hard work," the site says.

Kuck was a team co-captain and helped secure sponsorships and school funding for it, the site says.

A junior from Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Kuck planned to go into cosmetic surgery and majored in pre-medicine, biology and marketing, according to his MySpace page. He considered himself social and spontaneous and liked to lift weights, camp and bike.

He also said he was on the executive board of three university clubs.

Joan Kuck said her grandson was a loving person who had been passionate about biking since childhood.

No details are available on funeral arrangements, she said.

Kuck worked several months this summer at Oliver's Cycle Sports on Tampa Palms Boulevard.

Store owner Randy Myhre said Kuck was mature beyond his years.

"He was a really nice kid who was really together," Myhre said. "He always seemed to have a lot going on. I think he played hockey and lacrosse and helped resurrect the USF cycling team. He's an impressive kid."

Kuck also was a student employee of the campus recreation department.

He quickly gained respect while helping deal with communication between club sports, said Eric Hunter, the department's director.

"I was really shocked when I learned of his death and thought how tragic it was that he died doing something he loved doing," Hunter said. "As a parent myself, it just hits home when something like that happens."

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

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