Alpine Collegiate Forum Kicks Off Annual Congress
U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) for ski and snowboard sports in the U.S., wrapped day one of its annual Congress Tuesday, May 14, in Park City, Utah, with an alpine “Collegiate Forum,” an evening event featuring a coaches panel hosted by U.S. Ski & Snowboard Alpine Development Director Chip Knight.
The goal of the Collegiate Forum was to bring together a range of people from across the alpine ski racing community including college coaches, athletes, parents, and U.S. Ski & Snowboard staff to network, to learn more about college skiing and to hear details comparing and contrasting different college programs, including the offerings of the U.S. Collegiate Ski Association (USCSA). Among the discussion points were how NCAA Division 1 alpine skiing fits into U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s national development pipeline.
The event was streamed live and is available to watch on demand via this link.
“It was a great way to start our 2019 Congress, covering a topic that is of huge interest to many people involved with ski racing across the country,” said Chip Knight, himself a former NCAA coach and World Cup athlete. “The relationship between our national development program and the NCAA system is important and it was great to have the chance to debate and discuss this topic with a range of people with huge investments in the development of young American athletes.”
Picking up on this theme was U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s President, and CEO, Tiger Shaw, who said “as a former college athlete myself, I understand the importance of the relationship between the NCAA and elite levels of skiing. There are multiple pathways to the highest levels of the alpine World Cup - some have made it through this route to the top and it is critical to understand its role in all stages of development. Education is important to Americans and the U.S. Ski Team has a long history of developing the whole athlete, funding athlete career and education programs that, ultimately help make better athletes. At the same time, many understand that it takes complete commitment to make it to the top ranks. This discussion was both lively and interesting as it touched on many aspects of the work we are all doing to be the best while keeping the interests of the athletes first and at the heart of everything we do.”
Edie Thys Morgan has compiled a collegiate ski racing history and reference paper which provides much detail on college racing, available for download HERE.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard appreciates the hard work and commitment of everyone involved in helping athletes see their dreams come true.