USCSA Press Release: 2025 Awards
August 10, 2025
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BOSTON, Massachusetts. – August 10th, 2025. The United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) is excited to announce the election of several individuals to organizational leadership positions and the winners of several 2024-2025 annual awards, including Coach of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and the Keystone Award.
Coach of the Year
The USCSA Coach of the Year is presented to the coach who, during the past season, has exemplified the qualities of a great coach in every sense of the position. For 2025, the USCSA Coach of the Year was awarded to Erik Lundteigen, Head Coach for Northern Michigan University's (NMU) Alpine Ski Teams.
Coach Lundteigen has led Northern Michigan’s men’s and women’s ski teams since 2020. Upon taking this position, Coach Lundteigen transformed the alpine ski team from a club to varsity level sport. Since then, NMU’s teams have seen consistent success at the conference, regional, and national levels. This success has continued, with his men’s team taking 3rd overall at the 2025 U.S. Collegiate Ski & Snowboard National Championships and the women’s team placing 2nd in slalom.
After winning the award, Coach Lundteigen said, “I am honored to have been nominated and selected as the 2025 USCSA Coach of the Year! I really appreciate this award. I know that there are many other coaches who work hard, and are also deserving. I strongly believe in the USCSA model. It enables many athletes to continue their competitive careers after high school. The athletes have a chance to compete regionally, with the potential to go to the Nationals. I thank the USCSA for all they do to promote a great opportunity for the athletes.”
Volunteer of the Year
The USCSA relies on hundreds of volunteers to make its regular season, regional and national championship competitions successful every year. Although all of these individuals are critical to the organization, occasionally one volunteer will go above and beyond others to enhance the USCSA experience for athletes and fans. This year, the 2025 Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Jason Grimm.
Jason has been with the USCSA organization as a competitor, volunteer coach, a Midwest Conference volunteer and USCSA Nationals volunteer. Jason is a hard worker at every event he volunteers at, bringing a methodical thought process that takes in every aspect of a situation before reacting. During discussions around event planning he often brings a new or different idea to the table. Midwest Conference Coordinator Robin Dzubay added that Jason’s “dedication to the Midwest Conference has been critical in our continued growth and he has been a key volunteer when volunteers have been hard to find. The safety of the competition comes before all else to Jason. I don't know what our organization would be like without "USCSA Lifers" like Jason Grimm!”
“I am extremely humbled and 100% surprised to receive the Volunteer of the Year award,” said Jason. “USCSA depends on an army of highly dedicated, amazing, skilled volunteers across the country for everything from local races to the National Championships. From volunteer officials, staff, and hill crew. There are so many great folks who put so much into this organization, which is so humbling to see every winter. I do not take this award lightly and wish to thank all of my fellow ski family and especially my amazing wife, Catherine. The support of my wonderful wife, family, and ski family helps me pursue my passion for ski racing and supporting this great organization and incredible student athletes! Thanks!”
Keystone Award
The USCSA President gives the Keystone Award to honor an individual who has assisted the President in the organization’s operations. Going beyond the role of a volunteer, this person helps to ensure the delivery of the best service possible to the organization and its membership. For the 2025 season, President Bo Bigelow awarded the Keystone Award to Roy and Donna Nilsen.
Speaking on their contributions, Bo said that “Roy and Donna were selected for the Keystone Award for their tireless efforts to raise awareness of Nordic rules and processes within USCSA leadership, helping ensure the discipline is supported and understood across the organization. Their unwavering passion for the athletes and willingness to do whatever it takes to enhance the athlete experience make them true champions of the USCSA community.”
“We were very humbled to receive the USCSA Keystone award,” said Roy and Donna. “We have really enjoyed getting involved in USCSA over the past 7 years, first as parents/spectators and then as volunteers. Growing the opportunity for Nordic Skiers to continue to compete after high school has been very rewarding for us. We really love the community and vibe of USCSA!”
USCSA Board of Directors and Vice President Elections
The USCSA Board of Directors, Vice Presidents, and Conference Coordinators elected the following individuals to leadership positions within the organization:
Jason Grimm - Executive at Large
Eric Charpentier - Executive at Large
Ethan Fowler - Vice President, Snowboard & Freeski
Jay Moyer - Vice President, Academic Affairs
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For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact [email protected].
Coach of the Year
The USCSA Coach of the Year is presented to the coach who, during the past season, has exemplified the qualities of a great coach in every sense of the position. For 2025, the USCSA Coach of the Year was awarded to Erik Lundteigen, Head Coach for Northern Michigan University's (NMU) Alpine Ski Teams.
Coach Lundteigen has led Northern Michigan’s men’s and women’s ski teams since 2020. Upon taking this position, Coach Lundteigen transformed the alpine ski team from a club to varsity level sport. Since then, NMU’s teams have seen consistent success at the conference, regional, and national levels. This success has continued, with his men’s team taking 3rd overall at the 2025 U.S. Collegiate Ski & Snowboard National Championships and the women’s team placing 2nd in slalom.
After winning the award, Coach Lundteigen said, “I am honored to have been nominated and selected as the 2025 USCSA Coach of the Year! I really appreciate this award. I know that there are many other coaches who work hard, and are also deserving. I strongly believe in the USCSA model. It enables many athletes to continue their competitive careers after high school. The athletes have a chance to compete regionally, with the potential to go to the Nationals. I thank the USCSA for all they do to promote a great opportunity for the athletes.”
Volunteer of the Year
The USCSA relies on hundreds of volunteers to make its regular season, regional and national championship competitions successful every year. Although all of these individuals are critical to the organization, occasionally one volunteer will go above and beyond others to enhance the USCSA experience for athletes and fans. This year, the 2025 Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Jason Grimm.
Jason has been with the USCSA organization as a competitor, volunteer coach, a Midwest Conference volunteer and USCSA Nationals volunteer. Jason is a hard worker at every event he volunteers at, bringing a methodical thought process that takes in every aspect of a situation before reacting. During discussions around event planning he often brings a new or different idea to the table. Midwest Conference Coordinator Robin Dzubay added that Jason’s “dedication to the Midwest Conference has been critical in our continued growth and he has been a key volunteer when volunteers have been hard to find. The safety of the competition comes before all else to Jason. I don't know what our organization would be like without "USCSA Lifers" like Jason Grimm!”
“I am extremely humbled and 100% surprised to receive the Volunteer of the Year award,” said Jason. “USCSA depends on an army of highly dedicated, amazing, skilled volunteers across the country for everything from local races to the National Championships. From volunteer officials, staff, and hill crew. There are so many great folks who put so much into this organization, which is so humbling to see every winter. I do not take this award lightly and wish to thank all of my fellow ski family and especially my amazing wife, Catherine. The support of my wonderful wife, family, and ski family helps me pursue my passion for ski racing and supporting this great organization and incredible student athletes! Thanks!”
Keystone Award
The USCSA President gives the Keystone Award to honor an individual who has assisted the President in the organization’s operations. Going beyond the role of a volunteer, this person helps to ensure the delivery of the best service possible to the organization and its membership. For the 2025 season, President Bo Bigelow awarded the Keystone Award to Roy and Donna Nilsen.
Speaking on their contributions, Bo said that “Roy and Donna were selected for the Keystone Award for their tireless efforts to raise awareness of Nordic rules and processes within USCSA leadership, helping ensure the discipline is supported and understood across the organization. Their unwavering passion for the athletes and willingness to do whatever it takes to enhance the athlete experience make them true champions of the USCSA community.”
“We were very humbled to receive the USCSA Keystone award,” said Roy and Donna. “We have really enjoyed getting involved in USCSA over the past 7 years, first as parents/spectators and then as volunteers. Growing the opportunity for Nordic Skiers to continue to compete after high school has been very rewarding for us. We really love the community and vibe of USCSA!”
USCSA Board of Directors and Vice President Elections
The USCSA Board of Directors, Vice Presidents, and Conference Coordinators elected the following individuals to leadership positions within the organization:
Jason Grimm - Executive at Large
Eric Charpentier - Executive at Large
Ethan Fowler - Vice President, Snowboard & Freeski
Jay Moyer - Vice President, Academic Affairs
###
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact [email protected].
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