Cashman Joins U.S. Alpine Coaching Staff

PARK CITY, UT (May 27)—The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) has named former Squaw Valley Ski Team coach John Cashman to its alpine staff as the U16 National Training Group (NTG) head coach. Former U16 NTG Head Coach Thomas Erhard will now fulfill the role of FIS women’s NTG head coach.

The National Training Group supports the development of top regional junior athletes by bringing them together from across the country to train and compete at the highest level alongside their peers. Full time NTG athletes are based out of the Center of Excellence in Park City, UT and have full use of the athletic and rehabilitative facilities available to national team athletes. This innovative program enables the NTG age groups to work collaboratively with each other, as well as alongside USSA clubs, academies and regional and national teams as deemed athletically appropriate. Some athletes nominated to the NTGs opt to stay in their home programs, joining the full time NTG athletes on training projects both domestically and internationally.

As a former ski racer and successful head coach and program director, Cashman will bring extensive experience to the role. Most recently, he was the head coach of athlete development for U16, U14, U12 and U10 athletes with the Squaw Valley Ski Team. In his new role with USSA, Cashman’s focus will be to create development opportunities for top junior athletes across the country, and refine their basic alpine skills as they move up the U.S. Ski Team pipeline. 

As the NTG program follows a rigorous athletic schedule, which may present challenges to an athlete’s academic goals, NTG athletes have the option to attend the USSA TEAM Academy. The academy supports the USSA's Best in the World athletic vision by promoting educational and character development through the integration of mobile, flexible and vigorous academic programs. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• John Cashman was named to the U.S. Ski Team alpine staff as U16 NTG head coach.
• Former U16 NTG head coach Thomas Erhard has moved to FIS women’s NTG head coach.
• Cashman’s extensive experience includes 24 years of coaching at various USSA clubs, and most recently as head coach and program director for U16, U14, U12 and U10 athletes with the Squaw Valley Ski Team.
• Former women's NTG Head Coach Frank Kelble will take over the women's B, C and D teams. He plans on integrating the NTG athletes with this group of national team athletes when possible.
• Both Konrad Rickenbach and Chad Wolk will return to coach the men's FIS NTG team. 

QUOTES
Chip Knight, Alpine Development Director
Coming from the Squaw Valley Ski Team, John has established himself as one of the top coaches in the country. Many of our elite level athletes have come out of the Squaw program, so I’m looking forward to seeing how John’s knowledge of athlete development will help prepare our best young athletes for success on the international stage.

Thomas has led our U16 NTG since its inception and has done a great job building the program and paving the way for John. He will continue to work with top young athletes in his new role as FIS women’s NTG head coach. Both Thomas and John will focus on creating opportunities for our best athletes across the country to train together at a very high level.

John Cashman
My goal in this position is to lead these young athletes by creating as many opportunities as I can to help them better themselves both on and off the hill. I am motivated by helping them to attain their goals and prepare them for future success with the U.S. Ski Team.

Most of my 24-year coaching career has been devoted to athlete development at the U16 and under age groups. I look forward to working with these elite level athletes in helping them continue with their development and refinement of basic alpine skills as they move up the U.S. Ski Team pipeline.