Basil Lyberg, executive director of 24 Hours of Booty, Inc. – which runs the Official 24-Hour Cycling Event of LIVESTRONG and the premier national 24-hour road cycling charity event in the country – received the “2012 Distinguished Young Alumni” award from Central Michigan University.

This is the highest award achievable for a young alumnus (ages 35 or younger) by the Alumni Association of Central Michigan University. It recognizes alumni whose achievements in their field or avocation have received favorable recognition; who have received honors from associations or employers; or whose work has proven beneficial to a pronounced segment of society.

“Basil [Lyberg] embodies the very spirit of this award and is very deserving of this recognition,” said Annie Sanders, assistant director of Alumni Relations at Central Michigan University. “His professional accomplishments, strong leadership skills and commitment to nonprofits are commendable. We are proud to have him among our ‘distinguished alumni’ and wish him the best for continued success.”

Since taking over the helm at 24 Hours of Booty in 2009, Lyberg has led the expansion efforts to three major cities and doubled the organization’s revenues to support its mission. Previously, he dedicated nine years to work with Push America, a national non-profit organization headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. During his tenure, he expanded the organization’s signature cycling event, the Journey of Hope; established the Push America Challenge; and achieved record-level corporate sponsorships and fundraising, including a $1 million endowment gift. Basil was named a “Rising Star” by FundRaising Success magazine in 2009 and under his leadership, 24 Hours of Booty has received the top honors from the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, Endurance Magazine and LIVESTRONG.

About 24 Hours of Booty

24 Hours of Booty, Inc. – which runs the Official 24-Hour Cycling Event of LIVESTRONG and the premier national 24-hour road cycling charity event in the country – is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charity located in Charlotte that provides extraordinary cycling events that are safe, fun, and open to all levels of cycling ability. Its mission is to conduct 24-hour cycling events that increase public awareness, funds, and support for LIVESTRONG and local cancer organizations. Local organizations include The Keep Pounding Fund at Carolinas Medical Center and the Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas in Charlotte, the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults in Columbia, Md., and Aflac Cancer Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

In 24 Hours of Booty’s 10-year history, more than 10,000 riders have raised more than $7 million. The 11th Annual 24 Hours of Booty presented by Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte will take place July 27-28, 2012. In addition to the Charlotte event, 24 Hours of Booty will also host its inaugural 24 Hours of Booty of Indianapolis at Butler University on Friday, June 29-Saturday, June 30, 2012; the Fourth Annual 24 Hours of Booty of Columbia, Md. at the Gateway Business Park “Booty Loop” on Saturday, Aug. 25-Sunday, Aug. 26 2012; and the Third Annual 24 Hours of Booty of Atlanta on Saturday, Oct. 6-Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. The location for the Atlanta event is still being finalized. For more information, call 704-365-4417 or visit http://www.24hoursofbooty.org/.

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