George Esser
As the founder of the National Bicycle League for Bicycle Motocross (BMX) in 1974, George Esser was a true visionary in where BMX would go in the future.

He formed the NBL organization and based it on the government by the people, for the people. The result is a non-profit, membership-based organization with its officers elected by its members in a democracy. George wanted BMX to expand around the world so he invited Gerrit Does of Holland, Tadashi Inoue of Japan and Mr. Woods of England to join him in this quest and they together formed the very first International BMX Federation (IBMXF). Their vision was to have BMX follow this same format in every country around the world, for the people, by the people.

I vividly remember first meeting George and his wife Mary in 1976. I was in total awe of this amazing person who had such a passion for this sport called BMX. They worked in a small office in Pompano Beach, FL. He sat at his desk, cigar in his mouth, talking BMX when at that time, few people knew what he really meant.

It was not easy for George in the beginning. I remember how in those early years he had to borrow money every winter so that the NBL would survive. The NBL had less than a thousand members and everything done by hand on index cards. The rules were based on motorcycle racing but as we went along, BMX rules emerged. There were skeptics who thought the NBL would not make it, but with a great crew, help from volunteers in the field and on the NBL Board, the NBL started to grow south to north, east to west. His goal was now a reality and a success.

George Esser’s NBL foundation of a non-profit, membership based BMX format and its rules were shared to all and are still used by all countries around the world. Many organizations have copied the NBL format and rules that were developed and initiated by the NBL. George was also the first to develop a National Series program above the grassroots program — his famous War of the Stars Series. The NBL, along with the IBMXF held true World Championship events around the world with the BMX affiliated countries. This caught the attention of the Cycling Federation of the World, the UCI, which resulted in IBMXF merging with UCI. After many years of hard work promoting BMX, improving all programs, and developing new ones, BMX caught the attention of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and now BMX is an official Olympic sport and makes its debut in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing China.

We have come a long way from those early years in Pompano, FL with visionary George Esser. The impact he had on the start of BMX will live forever. On the 25-th anniversary of the NBL, George was honored at our Competition Congress and inducted into the NBL Hall of Fame. It was an emotional time for all of us. He was presented a huge oil painting of himself along with his wife Mary and sons Greg and Brian. The NBL continues to be recognized worldwide for its extraordinary leadership role, innovations and advancements for the sport of BMX. Thank you George for giving us NBL BMX. With fond memories, you will live in our hearts forever.

Bob Tedesco

Like many Bicycle Motocross enthusiasts, Bob Tedesco’s first involvement in the sport of BMX was through his three sons. In 1976, he bought them their first BMX bikes and struck up a conversation with the bike shop’s owner about places to race BMX.

It was only natural that his family would become involved in racing BMX bikes, since he was an avid drag racing enthusiast for 15 years. During this time, he won many titles and awards while racing his Z-11 Chevy and Camaros.
At that time, Bob worked in his family’s construction business and became a heavy equipment operator. This skill served him well as he voluntarily shaped and sculpted the local track in North Park, PA in 1977, he became the track’s director.

Several years later, he built the South Park BMX track, which has long been recognized as one of the premier tracks in the country. Bob’s involvement in the sport and the National Bicycle League grew, and he attended his first NBL Competition Congress in Florida in 1978.

In an effort to help BMX grow, Bob began to travel throughout the north, east and south, designing and building BMX tracks. He and his wife Polly, who now serves as his executive assistant, traveled together to train people to run races and operate these new tracks.

In the early 1980’s, Bob gave up his construction career to work full-time with NBL. He has been instrumental in helping the organization become the largest non-profit BMX organization in the world by serving in a variety of positions.

Throughout the years, Bob has served the sport as track director, track builder, scorer, referee, State Commissioner, District Commissioner, Instructor, NBL Board Member, NBL Vice President, NBL Director of Competition, NBL C.E.O., IBMXF International Board Member, IBMFX Vice President, UCI North American Representative, UCI BMX Commission Member, and Chief Referee at International World Championships.
Bob enjoys being involved in every aspect of the sport, especially the grassroots, where he began. His hands-on involvement enables him to continue meeting and working with new BMX people. As a result, he has made many friends in his past 30 years in BMX.

His tireless enthusiasm and dedication has helped many riders have the best BMX program available. He is proud of the friendships and contacts he has made with the parents, riders, park personnel, cycling industry, the media and sponsors around the world in the exciting sport of BMX.

Bob is also proud of his role as a UCI International Board member, where he helps set policy and direction for BMX in the world. Bob was the second inductee into the NBL Hall of Fame in 2000.