Junior Rondon Interview & Scholarship Fund Announcement
We are super happy to announce a new scholarship fund for NJ NICA students, thanks to a generous gift from Junior Rondon-Gonzalez, NJICL staffer and NJ NICA’s inaugural season varsity champion. Junior sat down to speak with the league recently about his gift and what NICA means to him.
Junior, please share a bit about yourself.
My name is Junior Gabriel Rondon-Gonzalez. I grew up in Morristown, New Jersey, and I’m proud to be a first-generation college graduate from Fairleigh Dickinson University, where I studied accounting.
How did you find mountain biking?
Cycling has been part of my life since I was a kid. I started out riding my mom’s old bike and borrowing bikes around town just to have fun with friends. My parents would take me different places to ride, and those memories planted the seed for my love of cycling.
What other sports and activities did you participate in while a student?
As a student, I stayed active in many ways — I ran track and field, wrestled, and was in marching band. Each of those sports and activities pushed me in different ways. Track gave me endurance, wrestling gave me grit, and marching band taught me focus and discipline. Those experiences gave me discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Together, they shaped how I approached cycling and life in general.
What did you enjoy the most about being in NJ NICA as a student?
For me, it was friendships, teamwork, and most of all, the community. Unlike other sports, mountain biking and NICA New Jersey had this incredible sense of belonging. Everyone treated each other with respect and kindness, no matter their background or skill level. Coaches, parents, and teammates were always there to support you.
I was part of the Revolutions Composite team, and they welcomed me right away. Even though I started out with just my mom’s old Mongoose bike, they never made me feel out of place. They treated me like I truly belonged. That support made me fall in love with cycling even more, and the friendships I built through that team are ones I keep to this day.
How did NICA help you after school?
NICA taught me important life skills that carried over into the professional world. Simple things like communicating with coaches, parents, or other adults — maintaining eye contact, treating everyone with respect, and carrying myself with professionalism — those lessons helped me later in jobs and in life.
Being part of the Revolutions Composite team also showed me the power of encouragement and acceptance. The way that the team supported me, no matter what bike I rode or how much experience I had, gave me confidence and reminded me of the importance of lifting others up. That mindset — to work hard, to persevere, and to support those around you — has stayed with me far beyond cycling.
What path did you take after school?
After high school, I attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey, on a full scholarship. During college, I worked various jobs — from construction and demolition to being a mechanic — and I also served as a volunteer firefighter.
Later, I earned an internship with Travelers Insurance, a Fortune 500 company, and worked there for a few years. Eventually, my path shifted, and today I’m proud to be a truck driver. I own Rondon Logistics LLC.
What are you doing for work now?
Right now, I’m running my own company, Rondon Logistics LLC. I drive and manage freight across New Jersey and the East Coast. Owning a business is challenging, but it’s also rewarding because it gives me independence, responsibility, and the chance to set my own path.
What is your current role with NJ NICA?
I serve as a parking staff member. It may sound simple, but it’s actually a critical role, especially with the number of students, parents, grandparents, and families who come out on race weekends.
I really enjoy it because I get to be the first person that people see when they arrive at our events. I greet them with a smile, help them park, and hopefully set a positive tone for their whole day. It’s rewarding to see the excitement on students’ faces, and being part of creating that atmosphere makes it meaningful for me.
What inspired you to come back to the league and serve as a staff member?
I wanted to give back to the community that gave me so much. My time in NICA shaped the person I am today, and I knew that even if I couldn’t be a coach, I could still contribute in other ways. Being on staff allows me to stay connected, support the next generation of riders, and play even a small part in their journey.
What inspired you to start the scholarship fund?
I’ve always dreamed of starting a scholarship. I didn’t know when or for what, but I knew I wanted to give it back one day. Cycling can be expensive, and I remember my first year when I worked hard to buy my own bike. It wasn’t the fanciest — other riders had bikes worth thousands more — but it taught me that it’s not about the equipment. It’s about grit, attitude, and the joy of riding.
That’s why I wanted to create this scholarship, so students who might not have the resources still get a chance to experience this amazing sport.
What do you hope for the students who receive it?
My hope is that they fall in love with the sport just like I did. I hope they make friends from all over New Jersey, learn the value of hard work, and discover that success is not about having the best bike but about your spirit and determination.
Most of all, I hope they pay it forward — not necessarily financially, but through kindness. Whether it’s helping a teammate, encouraging a friend, or supporting someone in need, I believe those small acts of kindness make a big difference in this world.
What advice would you give to current students?
Take full advantage of this opportunity. Talk to other student-athletes and coaches. Make as many friends as you can across teams and regions. Ask to ride new trails, try new things, and enjoy every moment.
I only had one season as a student-athlete, and I often wish I had been able to race longer. So, to those who are still in it — don’t take it for granted. Soak up the experience. There is no other sport or community like NICA New Jersey.
What advice would you give about success in life?
I believe success is not measured in money or material things. It’s about who you are, who you’re becoming, and the people around you. Are you happy with the person you are? Are you surrounded by people who uplift you? That, to me, is success.
Set goals for yourself — both big and small. Celebrate the little victories along the way, because they’ll keep you motivated and moving forward. No matter what challenges you face, with persistence and the right mindset, you can reach your goals.
Where do you see NJ NICA in the future?
I see NICA New Jersey continuing to grow as one of the strongest programs in the country. Every year, more students discover the sport, and with that comes even more opportunity to build community, character, and leadership through cycling.
I believe it will only continue to expand its reach and impact more lives — both on and off the bike.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I just want to express gratitude — to the coaches, volunteers, parents, and especially the students who make this league so special. NJ NICA gave me friendships, life lessons, and opportunities I’ll always be thankful for.
If I can give back even a small part of what it gave me — whether through volunteering, greeting families in the parking lot, or creating a scholarship fund — then I feel I’m doing my part. At the end of the day, cycling is about more than racing. It’s about community, resilience, and joy. And I hope every student who comes through NICA New Jersey gets to experience that.
Junior has committed to sponsoring 12 riders for FULL coverage of annual NJ NICA fees this season. These will be issued on a case-by-case basis, determined primarily by financial need expressed in the application. Scholarships are granted based on a family’s eligibility for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), but we understand that families who do not qualify may still have a financial need, so we encourage all to apply.
To learn more about NICA New Jersey’s scholarship program please visit our webpage: https://newjerseymtb.org/scholarships/
