Annual Letter 2008

As we move from ending our 2007-2008 competition season into our summer activities, our Divisional outlook is bright.  Through the diligent and unflappable work of our Divisional Manager, Sherri Hale, the Northern Division remains on a truly positive track.

I congratulate all the competitors in our Division, and their achievements throughout the season.  My congratulations to the Divisional athletes who qualified for post season competition.  Our strong Youth Ski League membership showed well in the J-III Junior Olympics/J-IV Festival at Bogus  Basin, ID.  On both the J-III and J-IV men’s and women’s sides, we not only had competitors finishing in the top 10-15 places, but also had top three medal winners.  Our A– J-II athletes also had some very good performances in the Western Championships and FIS Finals, with divisional team members winning races and placing in the top 15.  I was excited to see that many of our athletes attending those events established good FIS profiles that will carry them into the 08-09 seasons on a positive note.

As members, we should all be proud of our athletes, and how well they performed in and out of the competition arena.  These athletic accomplishments could not happen without the fine level of coaching and club management in our division.  My congratulations to all divisional coaches, their local boards, and all members in helping make the 2007-08 season a successful one.

Our continued effort in addressing competition needs, in terms of athletics, ski area integration, coaches’ and officials’ certification will again be a focal point for the future.  The divisional coaches who are (or will be) educationally certified and/or maintain current Referee status will provide strong leadership for not only the athletes, but also for the club management at the local level.

As we look toward the future and our interactions with ski area operators, we need to continue to foster strong relationships with this group.  Although at times this can be challenging, we must cultivate them for the benefit of our sport.  There is no doubt the Northern Division and its members can be advantageous to the ski areas.  As we encourage mutually positive relationships, in conjunction with continued education on what we do and who we are, I believe our associations with these businesses will prosper.

The needs of our athletes and the competitions that are offered continue to be modified as rule provisions, both in FIS and USSA, are tailored for current and future applications. There will be changes in youth ski racing beginning this year, and as our National Team athletic pipeline changes, we are all learning how to target the best in our youth.  This makes for challenging, national event scheduling that trickles down to the regional and then divisional levels.

Soon (by 2010-11), all events scheduled at any ski area in the United States will have to be on a homologated venue site.  As these provisions come to fruition, we as a Division must remain constant in our directives:  to provide an opportunity for advancement within the skiing community for all the athletic members of the Northern Division, and to promote a quality-learning environment.  Promoting good sportsmanship, a fun atmosphere for competition and training, and the consistent involvement of our members are what make this Division of USSA strong and successful.

My thanks to all the club members and those who work tirelessly within their local boards to help this Division maintain its status.  This past season would not have been as successful without the help of the Northern Board of Directors:  Alrick Hale-Vice-President, Susan Krueger-Secretary, Rick Duncan-Treasurer, and our Northern Division Manager, Sherri Hale.

My thanks to Roger Bay, our ACC chairman and the ACC members for their experience in the implementation of rules, regulations and Divisional procedures, and to Mike (Spud) Kelley for his work as Officials Chair.

A special thanks to our Northern Division Web designer, who is instrumental in our web design and in all applications of software to keep our Divisional site functional in such a very professional way.

Although we are one of, if not the, smallest (population) division in the Western Region, we continue to “hold our own” when it comes to competition.  We maintain the commitment to host quality competition venues in all age groups as our clubs go through changes from year to year.  Every club in this division should be proud of the work they do to benefit the athletes.

To all the coaches, board directors, volunteers in every form, family members and most importantly, the athletes, a big THANK YOU for your efforts in 2007-08!

I look forward to another healthy, successful season in 2008-2009.