Newsletter

USCSA Newsletter: November 2021

11/22/2021

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Membership News

November 2021

2021/22 USCSA Team & Athlete Registration

Registration Price Increase Alert!

Don't forget on December 1, 2021 there will be a price increase for USCSA Competitor and Team registrations.
Lock in your price - click here to registe r.

Learn more about registration here.
If you have any specific registration questions, please email registration@uscsa.org.

2021/22 USCSA Volunteer & Coaches Registration
Registration for coaches, volunteers & officials is open.
To complete your registration, click here.

2021/2022 USCSA COVID-19 Information
The USCSA values the health and safety of its USCSA event participants and area partners. We strongly recommend all members receive the COVID-19 vaccination prior to the start of the competitive season.

Our COVID-19 Task Force has been meeting regularly since June 2020. The current guidance and policy of the USCSA is as follows:

Event organizers will follow the US Ski & Snowboard Domestic Comp Guide (10/2021).
USCSA event participants must comply with any additional requirements put in place by a governmental agency or host venue.
USCSA Conferences may add additional requirements, with approval of the USCSA Board of Directors.
Face coverings are required for all members indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
If you are not feeling well or are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home.

If you have any questions on our COVID-19 Policy, please contact covid19@uscsa.org.

This and all COVID-19 protocols are subject to changes.

COVID-19 General Eligibility Waiver
COVID-19 Exceptions: Any student enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies at a collegiate institution during the 2020-2021 academic year, regardless of if they have participated in USCSA competition, will be granted an additional year of academic eligibility, for circumstances beyond their control due to the negative impacts associated with logistics and competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No waiver of NCAA Division II rule 14.2 Seasons of Competition: 10-Semester/15-Quarter Rule would be required to be submitted for any athlete who seeks to participate in a 5th year of competition within the first 10 semesters or 15 quarters in which the student is enrolled in a collegiate institution in at least a minimum full-time program of studies.

Registration Protection Policy
The USCSA will refund any individual or team registration through December 31, 2021 or the start of their home Conference's competitive season, whichever is sooner.
Individuals or teams may request a refund by contacting the National Office and completing the application. The Membership Committee will review all submitted applications.

Welcome new USCSA Teams and Institutions!
We are excited to welcome several new Teams and Institutions to USCSA this year:

Carleton College - Women's and Men's Nordic
Colorado State University - Women's and Men's Nordic
High Point University: Women's and Men's Alpine
Luther College - Women's and Men's Nordic
Macalester College - Women's and Men's Alpine
North Dakota State University - Men's Nordic
Springfield College - Women's and Men's Alpine, Snowboard and Freeski
St. Michael's College - Women's and Men's Alpine
SUNY Poly - Men's Nordic
U.S. Coast Guard Academy - Women's and Men's Snowboard
University of Notre Dame - Men's Nordic
Vassar College - Men's Snowboard

2022 USCSA National Championships
The 2022 USCSA National Championships will take place March 6 to 12, 2022 in Lake Placid, NY. The National Championship Committee is hard at work planning the event with our partners to host the high caliber event everyone has become accustomed to!

New for the 2022 Championships there will be Wildcard Berths for Alpine. These are intended to open up access to additional teams in the National Championship Alpine competition field, without inhibiting the existing field. We have seen an increasing level of competition in the Alpine field at our Nationals Championships, and we have unused allocations of competitors and berths that have been historically underutilized for 4-way competition. One Wildcard team would qualify from each of the six Regions, and those competitors would start their 1st run of competition after the existing qualified field. The USCSA is very excited to try this format for the 2022 National Championships!

Outreach Opportunities for Ski/Snowboard Clubs & High School Teams
To help spread the word about USCSA and our great programs, the Marketing Committee is working with clubs, academies, and high schools across the country to put on presentations, including a recent one to the Park City Ski and Snowboard Club attended by over 30 athletes and parents. Do you know of a club or team that may be interested in learning more about USCSA as well? Send an email to help@uscsa.org and we’ll reach out to them!

Member Benefits: Partner Updates

The IKON Pass Core Curriculum pass program grants students special pricing through clubs that partner with IKON. December 1st is the last day that USCSA students can fill out the USCSA form to request a promo code!

Join the USCSA-SWIX Zoom Clinic! Alpine Director Graham Lonetto will cover "Ski Room Safety procedures: Working with Fluoro’s and the NEW SWIX PRO Non-Fluoro Race Wax System." Additional focus will be on proper wax applications. Wednesday, December 1st. More details, including time and Zoom access, will be posted on the USCSA Member Benefits webpage. (A recording of the clinic will be posted on the USCSA website if you are unable to join the session.)

NEW PARTNER ALERT! The USCSA is now partnering with Outdoorly, which provides USCSA members with insider deals to over 100 brands, including Mammut, Liberty Skis, Obermeyer, RXBAR, and DB. Learn more on USCSA's member benefits webpage.

Thank you to all 2021/2022 Partners!

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USCSA Newsletter: October 2021

10/16/2021

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Membership News

October 2021

Member Spotlight
Scott Hoisington

Scott Hoisington has been a key leader in the Eastern Conference for many years. He served as the Division Coordinator for the Reynolds and Katahdin Divisions, Alpine Competition Chair and Vice Chair of the Conference. He was the coach and director of snowsports for the University of Maine at Farmington until his retirement this summer. Scott will be greatly missed.

How has your experience with USCSA impacted your life both within and outside the workplace?
SH: The rewards have been planning events and working with the athletes, watching them compete at a sport they really enjoy, and the commadrey between the teams. Competing in the national event was always exciting.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your work within USCSA?
SH: Planning the events, watching the hard work you put in be a success at the end of the day. Planning the regional event the past couple of years
What do you most enjoy about coaching, and if you could travel back in time and advise yourself as a young coach, what would you say?
SH: Working with every athlete to see their improvement regardless of their ability. I enjoyed the successes of the less talented skiers as much or more then those who won.
What age group has been your favorite to coach?
SH: Actually, 10-12 year old athletes. For them it is more about fun, skiing a bunch and just hanging out with each other. They are so full of energy, like to listen to their coach and try new things.
What would you say to students considering collegiate skiing/snowboarding?
SH: Being part of team with a common interest to something you love (skiing) will be one of the best experiences of your college life. There is a little extra time and dedication required, however the payback of the friendships and life experiences you will have will be rewarding.
Which do you prefer: competing or coaching?
SH: Without a doubt, coaching. Watching someone improve through your guidance is extremely rewarding.
What is your favorite memory from your years in USCSA?
SH: Watching the rail jam, and having one of our athletes finish with a silver medal. I never knew much about the sport, but walked away with a renewed respect of their talent, risk taking and level of competition.
What did you look forward to most every winter season?
SH: POWDER SKIING

2021/22 USCSA Team & Athlete Registration
The Membership Committee has voted to forgo the annual membership price increase this year. Individual athlete membership will remain at $17.50 per person and $170 for each team and institution. We will have price steps on November 1, 2021, December 1, 2021, January 1, 2022 and February 1, 2022.
Team & Athlete Registration is open please click here for more details.
If you have any specific Registration Questions please email registration@uscsa.org.

COVID-19 General Eligibility Waiver
COVID-19 Exceptions. Any student enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies at a collegiate institution during the 2020-2021 academic year, regardless of if they have participated in USCSA competition, will be granted an additional year of academic eligibility, for circumstances beyond their control due to the negative impacts associated with logistics and competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No waiver of NCAA Division II rule 14.2 Seasons of Competition: 10-Semester/15-Quarter Rule would be required to be submitted for any athlete who seeks to participate in a 5th year of competition within the first 10 semesters or 15 quarters in which the student is enrolled in a collegiate institution in at least a minimum full-time program of studies.

Registration Protection Policy
The USCSA will refund any individual or team registration through December 31, 2021 or the start of their home Conferences competitive season, whichever is sooner.
Individuals or teams may request a refund by contacting the National Office and completing the application. The Membership Committee will review all submitted applications.

Membership Benefits
As one of the many benefits of USCSA membership, we partner with several industry-leading brands and companies to provide discounted products for USCSA's student athletes, coaches, volunteers and leadership. Check out the Member Benefit page on our website to learn about these opportunities and how to shop (check back frequently, as the page is continually updated). Please contact the National Office with any questions.
These benefits are exclusive to USCSA and, unless otherwise noted, must not be shared with family, friends or colleagues not associated with USCSA. Please respect the terms and conditions of these partnerships, as well as your local retail shops. Happy shopping!

2021/22 USCSA Volunteer & Coaches Registration
Registration for coaches, volunteers & officials will open in mid October.

COVID-19 Update
The COVID-19 Task Force is meeting on a regular basis and will be issuing an updated COVID-19 Operations Guide in mid November. This guide will include the information for Conference Coordinators, athletes, parents and institution administrations. We are working with other industry partners to ensure our guide is comprehensive and inline with industry standards.
Based on the recommendation of the COVID-19 Task Force the USCSA Board of Directors has approved the following policy for all USCSA events.

FACE COVERING REQUIREMENTS
If you are indoors:

Face coverings are required for all members, regardless of vaccination status.

If you are outdoors:

Unvaccinated members are required to wear a face covering if unable to maintain six (6) feet of social distancing.

If you are not feeling well or are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home.
This and all COVID-19 Protocols are subject to changes. All members are subject to local & venue regulations.

2022 USCSA National Championships
The 2022 USCSA National Championships will take place March 6 to 12, 2022 in Lake Placid, NY. The National Championship Committee is hard at work planning the event with our partners to host the high caliber event everyone has become accustomed too.
New for the 2022 Championships there will be Wildcard Berths for Alpine. These are intended to open up access to additional teams in the National Championship Alpine competition field, without inhibiting the existing field. We have seen as increasing level of competition in the Alpine field at our Nationals Championships and we have unused allocations of competitors and berths that have been historically underutilized for 4-way competition. One Wildcard team would qualify from each of the 6 Regions and those competitors would start their 1st run of competition after the existing qualified field. The USCSA is very excited to try this format for the 2022 National Championships!

IKON Pass Core Curriculum

THE IKON PASS COLLEGE CLUB PROGRAM GRANTS CURRENT STUDENTS SPECIAL PRICING THROUGH CLUBS PARTNERED WITH US BELOW.

Teams in the USCSA are eligible to participate in the IKON Pass Core Curriculum pass program. This program is available until December 1, 2021. Complete details can be found here.

Pricing Starting 10/15
Ikon Pass - $639
Ikon Base Plus - $619
Ikon Base Pass - $469

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USCSA Newsletter: August 2021

8/30/2021

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Membership News

August 2021

Welcome to the 2021-2022 USCSA Season!
Excited doesn’t begin to capture our emotions here at the USCSA as we look to welcome all of you back for the 2021-2022 competition season. As many of you know, last season was greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many cancelled events across the country, including our 2021 National Championships, which were going to be hosted at Mammoth Mountain, California. Despite these challenges, our great volunteers managed to host a number of competitions across the country in order to keep as many athletes engaged as possible in such an abnormal year.

As we look ahead to the season, we are all hopeful that it will be as normal as possible but I must ask for your patience and support as we begin to understand new rules, regulations, and policies that are part of the ski and snowboard industry in the wake of the pandemic. We’re thrilled with the opportunity to get back on the snow and I hope to see you at our 2022 USCSA National Championships, scheduled for March 6 to 12, 2022 in Lake Placid, New York! Think snow!
Chris Shumeyko, President

Welcome Meegan Moszynski!
The USCSA is continually striving to grow and evolve as an organization in order to achieve our mission of being the national governing body of collegiate team ski & snowboard competition in the United States. Therefore, this off-season, the USCSA Board of Directors engaged in a search to fill a newly-created Managing Director position to lead our National Office. The Managing Director is tasked with supporting the passion and dedication of the hardworking volunteers, who are the heartbeat of the USCSA, along with the needs of our members.

After a dedicated search, I’m thrilled to announce that Ms. Meegan Moszynski has been selected as our first Managing Director, effective immediately. Meegan comes to the USCSA with expertise throughout the non-profit sector, and she most recently served as Executive Director of the National Ski Patrol. Meegan’s wealth of experience will help the USCSA provide unparalleled snowsports competitions for its members, but it’s her enthusiasm, can-do attitude, and jovial personality that will make her memorable to everyone who meets her. Please welcome Meegan to the USCSA!

2021/22 USCSA Team & Athlete Registration
The Membership Committee has voted to forgo the annual membership price increase this year. Individual athlete membership will remain at $17.50 per person and $170 for each team and institution. We will have price steps on November 1, 2021 and January 1, 2022.
Registration will open in early September, the website will be updated by September 1, 2021 with the current season information.
If you have any specific Registration Questions please email registration@uscsa.org.

2021/22 USCSA Volunteer & Coaches Registration
Registration for coaches, volunteers & officials will open in early October.

2022 USCSA National Championships
The 2022 USCSA National Championships will take place March 6 to 12, 2022 in Lake Placid, NY. The National Championship Committee is hard at work planning the event with our partners to host the high caliber event everyone has become accustomed too.
New for the 2022 Championships there will be Wildcard Berths for Alpine. These are intended to open up access to additional teams in the National Championship Alpine competition field, without inhibiting the existing field. We have seen as increasing level of competition in the Alpine field at our Nationals Championships and we have unused allocations of competitors and berths that have been historically underutilized for 4-way competition. One Wildcard team would qualify from each of the 6 Regions and those competitors would start their 1st run of competition after the existing qualified field. The USCSA is very excited to try this format for the 2022 National Championships!

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USCSA Newsletter: July 2021

7/13/2021

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Membership News

July 2021

Save The Date
2022 Summer Conference
Minneapolis, MN
June 9 - 11, 2022

The 2022 USCSA Summer Conference will be held in-person in Minneapolis, MN.

We plan on offering a remote option for portions of the Conference.

USCSA Committees

Although it may be the off season, dozens of USCSA volunteers work on committees throughout the year to make USCSA the best collegiate snowsport league in the world. Here’s a brief description of each committee. Our committees are always interested in new volunteers who are passionate about improving the organization. For more information on a committees work, meeting dates or to apply for committee membership please contact help@uscsa.org.

The Academic Affairs Committee is an authority on the rules of USCSA and NCAA. The committee handles all items around rules that are not specific to the sport/programs of the disciplines.

The Business and Legal Committee develops and monitors the organization’s business and legal issues, which include but are not limited to risk management, professional and athletic program development, dues structure, insurance, and membership.

The Finance Committee is chaired by the USCSA Treasurer and is composed of members with expertise in accounting, financial management, risk management, strategic budgeting/forecasting and other similar experiences. The committee provides fiscal oversight for the organization and develops and monitors an annual USCSA budget that reflects/supports the organization’s strategy.

The Historian Committee is responsible for researching, maintaining and publishing the history of the USCSA. The committee is also charged with documenting the past National Championships (i.e results, photographs, article clippings, etc.) throughout the history of the USCSA/NCSA.

The Marketing Committee is charged with promoting the USCSA and developing, fostering, and executing on the plan regarding the outward and internal marketing and branding of the USCSA.

The Membership Committee is responsible for the data integrity of the membership database, managing the data of the members, and being good stewards of the membership data. The committee is also responsible for any changes to the types of USCSA memberships and associated fees.

The Rules Committee's primary purpose is to ensure fair and equitable competition for athletes in all disciplines. This committee is charged with updating and submitting new rules and rule changes to the Board of Directors field questions during the year, and advise conference coordinators as needed. The committee has subcommittees focused on Alpine, Nordic, and Snowboard/Freeski specific rules.

The Safety Committee is charged with promoting safety within the USCSA by educating and promoting a culture of safety. Committee members are made up of individuals that are interested in advancing the culture of safety in the USCSA.

The Sport/Programs Committee’s primary purpose is to serve as an advocate and steward of excellence in all disciplines and to foster the development and growth of all disciplines throughout the organization. All non-rule related issues shall be the responsibility of this committee, as well as being a resource for conference coordinators and the Executive Director, to further sport development. The committee has subcommittees focused on Alpine, Nordic, and Snowboard/Freeski competitions.

The Strategic Planning Committee’s purpose is to ensure ongoing, visionary planning for the organization’s continued growth and programmatic excellence. The committee is tasked with developing a multi-year strategic plan for USCSA, as well as tracking the plan’s progress and adjusting course as needed to achieve greatest ROI for members, volunteers, and other key constituents. At this time, the Strategic Planning Committee is at its membership cap per USCSA bylaws.

The Technology Committee is charged with proposing, evaluating, and recommending implementation of new technologies to advance the mission, efficiency, and accuracy of the USCSA.

Outreach Opportunities for Ski/Snowboard Clubs & High School Teams

To help spread the word about USCSA and our great programs, the Marketing Committee is working with clubs, academies, and high schools across the country to give presentations to, including a recent one to the Park City Ski and Snowboard Club attended by over 30 athletes and parents. Do you know of a club or team that may be interested in learning more about USCSA as well? Send an email to help@uscsa.org and we’ll reach out to them!

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USCSA Newsletter: May 2021

5/18/2021

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Membership News

May 2021

2021 USCSA Virtual Conference
Saturday, June 12th
11:15 am to 5:30 pm Eastern Time

Registration for the 2021 USCSA Virtual Summer conference is OPEN! This year’s conference will include various seminars, organization updates and keynote addresses to educate attendees and foster growth in our organization. This free event is open to all athletes, coaches and stakeholders but registration is required. For complete schedule and sessions please click here.

Zoom link for the conference will be sent to all registrants the day prior to the event.

USCSA Alumni Interview

Ali Spencer, Former Castleton University Athletes and
Current US Ski Team Coach

For this month’s feature, Student Representative Katie Brust (Alpine, University of South Dakota) interviewed Ali Spencer, a 2014 graduate of Castleton University and current US Ski Team Coach and Certified Athletic Trainer!

How has your experience with USCSA impacted your life both within and outside the workplace?

My time in USCSA taught me that wherever I went, team was the most important aspect of success. My teammates at Castleton showed me what team truly meant; if one of us succeeded, we all succeeded, if one of us needed help, then it was our duty to our teammate to support them and get them what they needed to be successful. I have taken this team atmosphere that I found in USCSA and brought that into both the workplace and in life. Surrounding myself with support, allows me to never work or feel alone when my athletes and I find ourselves in challenging situations. I know that I always have someone I can call and bounce ideas around with as well as be the person that my colleagues can call and bounce ideas around with when they feel in the need of extra support. Traveling around the world separately can feel daunting at times when you look around the room and it is just you, but knowing your team (both at work and at home) are just a phone call away, the daunting times don’t feel as daunting.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your work as an athletic trainer?

Seeing my athlete in their first race, getting their first podium, or first whatever back from an injury is by far the most rewarding part of the job. Not many people see the mental and physical struggle the athlete goes through so it is always incredibly rewarding to walk that journey with them and see them on the other side crushing it. I’m known to shed some tears at the finish or dance around the clinic watching from the screen of my computer.

What do you most enjoy about coaching, and if you could travel back in time and advise yourself as a young coach, what would you say?

Time traveling back to myself as a younger athlete, I would grab myself by the shoulders, look myself dead in the eyes, and tell her how incredibly capable she is. That being said, watching my athletes, learn, adapt, and find belief within themselves is by far my favorite part of coaching. Showing them that taking care of the details, forgetting the external noise, and trusting the process is where they will find how wildly capable they are, because they are capable. I feel that my background as an athletic trainer has helped me tremendously with this piece of coaching as it is the same process my athletes go through when they are coming back from injury.

What age group has been your favorite to coach?

I’ve coached 8 year olds up to 30 year olds, and to be honest I don’t think I have a favorite. Each level of coaching has a different challenge and amazing reward. What would you say to students considering collegiate skiing/snowboarding? GO FOR IT! Don’t ever count yourself out of something because you may be afraid of where you stack up, the time commitment, or whether you will make friends. My best friends in the entire world from when I was a college freshman to now are my teammates from my time racing USCSA.

Which do you prefer: competing or coaching?

Though I miss competing and wish I knew then what I knew now, I love coaching and am so grateful I am able to continue to be involved in the sport.

If you know of an alumni involved in the ski/snowboard industry who would like to be interviewed send an email to social@uscsa.org and we’ll reach out!

USCSA Membership Refund Policy Update
As we begin to look towards the 2021/2022 season, the USCSA Membership Committee has approved the following policy: The USCSA will review registration fee refunds and/or transfers for the 2020-2021 season until June 01, 2021.
After this date, no refunds will be issued. This includes all Team, Institution, and Individual registration fees.

Outreach Opportunities for Ski/Snowboard Clubs and High School Teams

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USCSA Newsletter: April 2021

4/27/2021

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Membership News

April 2021

USCSA Virtual Competition

After five weeks of great submissions, we’re excited to announce that Abby Benser is the winner of the competition’s grand prize - a free Saga Outerwear item of her choice!
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Virtual Competition; we hope to see you all at on-snow competitions next season!

Save The Date!

2021 USCSA Virtual Conference
Saturday, June 12th
11:15 am to 5:30 pm Eastern Time

This year’s USCSA summer conference will feature several presentations, both to help our teams recover from the pandemic affected season and to help USCSA conferences continue to host world class competitions. Speakers from US Ski & Snowboard along with several members of USCSA committees will give virtual presentations and updates.

The Conference will end with a virtual Social Hour for all our members to reconnect with each other and share memories.

Thank You Seniors!

After two COVID-19 affected seasons, we know this has been a difficult for many of us, especially our graduating seniors. If your team, like the University of Rhode Island Ski Team below, posted a thank you note for your seniors we’d love to see it and share it. Tag @uscsa or send your pictures to social@uscsa.org so we can spread the word to all of USCSA!

2020/2021 Season Ends on a High Note in the Midwest and West

Great Bear Chase Concludes Defiant Season, Twin Cities Crowned Midwest Collegiate Champions

A small but determined field of collegiate Nordic skiers made their way North of the Portage this weekend to decide the final standings of the 2020-21 Midwest Collegiate Nordic League. As the sun rose over the steam hoists and smokestacks of fair Calumet, athletes representing Twin Cities Nordic, the Buckingham Badgers, and Michigan Technological University gathered at the 40th annual Great Bear Chase to test their strength – and wax – on the winding Swedetown trails.
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Without national championship, USCSA western champs endure through COVID season

When the U.S. Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association (USCSA) canceled the 2021 U.S. Collegiate Ski & Snowboard National Championships last fall citing concerns from its membership regarding the safety of attendees and travel restrictions, the USCSA turned its focus to enabling the regular season and local competitions where conditions permitted. Among limited training, a condensed roster of teams participating, and various COVID-19 Task Force meetings, USCSA persevered to successfully hold Western Region Championships for four collegiate teams last weekend.
Read More

USCSA Alumni Interview Series Coming in May!

Starting in May USCSA will feature interviews with alumni who are currently working in the Ski and Snowboard industry, including current coaches with the US Ski Team. If you know of an alumni who would like to be interviewed send an email to social@uscsa.org and we’ll reach out!

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USCSA Newsletter: March 2021

3/15/2021

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USCSA Virtual Competition

Congrats to Wisconsin Alpine @wi_alpine for winning the first week of the USCSA Virtual competition and a new pair of SHRED Goggles!

Here are the contest details for week 3 of the USCSA Virtual Competition⠀
On Snow: Picture or video tuning your skis or snowboard⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Off Snow: Picture wearing only USCSA sponsor attire/equipment
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Post your entry by midnight EST Friday March 12th the enter!

USCSA Membership Refund Policy Update

As we begin to look towards the 2021/2022 season, the USCSA Membership Committee has approved the following policy: The USCSA will review registration fee refunds and/or transfers for the 2020-2021 season until June 01, 2021. After this date, no refunds will be issued. This includes all Team, Institution, and Individual registration fees.

2021 USCSA Virtual Conference

Saturday, June 12th
11:00 am to 5:30 pm Eastern Time

We know next season will be a rebuilding year for many programs and the National Office has developed several programs to help our team return to pre pandemic levels. We are inviting speakers from US Ski & Snowboard along with several presenters from the Board of Directors & selected committees.

The Conference will end with a virtual Social Hour for all our members to reconnect with each other and share memories.

2020-2021 Season Highlights

Midwest Collegiate Nordic League: American Birkebeiner Intensifies Championship Chase
Twin Cities holds lead in Men’s and Women’s Divisions; record turnout drives standings shakeup
by: Luke Dykowski, Nordic Student Representative

An unrelenting Birkebeiner course saw the largest Midwestern club collegiate field in over three decades dramatically intensify the chase for the MCNL Championship title. Sixty-five skiers across thirteen teams braved wind, unpredictable temperatures, and even blizzard-like snow February 24th through 28th on the storied trails ‘east of Seeley town’.

While 45k of punishing climbing – including an atypical double-ascent of High Point – provided a sharp contrast to the previous weekend’s opening races at the Mora Vasaloppet, the teams appeared eager to test their mettle and cure their near-debilitating Birkie Fever at this, the second MCNL competition of the 2020-21 season.

Although Twin Cities Nordic maintained its lead in both the Men’s and Women’s Divisions, strong showings from the Duluth Area Golden Retriever Men and Buckingham Badger Women kept each team within striking distance of a cumulative League victory. Meanwhile, the arrival of six new teams complicated League standings on and just below the podium – raising the stakes of the upcoming Great Bear Chase.

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USCSA Newsletter: February 2021

2/10/2021

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President's Welcome

Needless to say, this season looks nothing like we’ve seen before, but thankfully snow has still fallen across the country and I hope all of you have had a chance to hit the slopes! It’s disappointing that we won’t be getting together in Mammoth next month, but rest assured that we’ll be back bigger and better than ever in 2022. While your team may not be competing like usual, make sure you check out our Virtual Competition (more info below!) or reach out to the USCSA National Office for other ways to engage with our organization. See you on the slopes!
- Chris Shumeyko, USCSA President

Save the Date for the USCSA Virtual Summer Conference - Saturday, June 12! Details to follow.

Virtual Competition

Starting the week of February 15th, USCSA will host a virtual competition open to all college-aged snowsport athletes! Every Monday for five weeks, we’ll release a different on snow and off snow competition for that week. Simply tag USCSA in your entry on Instagram or Facebook and you’ll be entered to win our weekly and season long prizes. Full competition and details will be posted next week, but in the meantime get your best winter outfits ready!

Concussion Training for Coaches and Official

The USCSA is constantly striving to improve its offerings to not only our students, but our coaches and volunteers as well. As part of this effort, the USCSA is piloting a Concussion Training program this year. Please visit the Coach, Official & Volunteer page to learn more and participate!

USSS Masters

A message from US Ski and Snowboard Alpine Masters Manager Lauren Beckos:
The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Masters Race Series are up and running – we would love to have USCSA racers come join us! Depending on the area of the country, some masters have been training since November and racing since December. Many (but not all) races have been moved to midweek and many of our regular venues are still on this season’s schedule. See the 2020-2021 Schedules for All Divisions. Due to the uncertain nature of this season, many race series have eliminated or reduced their membership fees. Some have special rates for college racers.

For the 2020-2021 season, ALL race registration must be done in advance online since there is minimal lodge access and COVID pre-screening is required 24-48 hours prior to every event and daily on each race day. Most race events are U.S. Ski & Snowboard sanctioned and require a short-term, non-scored student, or masters alpine membership; there is also information about other non-sanctioned trainings or events on the individual race series webpages and social media. FIS helmets are not required (they will be starting 2021-2022) but hard ear protection on the helmet is required for GS, SG, and DH. There are no ski requirements.

For more information for events, training, divisions, getting registered, and rules: usskiandsnowboard.org/masters

Registration for most events: www.skiracereg.com

I am happy to answer all general masters email inquiries and can help direct you to local contacts as well for each race series. Masters has racers as young as 18 with our oldest racer being 91 this season. Masters member backgrounds include national team, FIS, NCAA, USCSA, high-school racing, NASTAR, and U. S. Ski & Snowboard junior racing, but we also have people every year that try racing for the first time. Masters – is a long game – jump in and out as it works with your lives and careers. I had never raced prior to joining the WPI ski team in college. Since graduating in 2007, I have been racing masters and it has only gotten more fun each year. I had never raced SG or DH until I turned 25 and gave it a try with masters. I try to get in as many powder and race days each season and love playing in the snow with the friends I have made ski racing.

All the best in slapping plastic and carving turns,
Lauren Beckos (she/her/hers)
lauren.beckos@usskiandsnowboard.org
Alpine Masters Manager
Follow us: @usalpinemasters

Kritic Smartphone App

Two former USCSA athletes want to introduce a new app called Kritic! Kritic is a social media platform that helps athletes progress through critiques on their own videos. The app enables everyone to improve faster through continuous feedback from the community. This is done by crowdsourcing comments and helping each other by critiquing other athletes. Goals from your first video upload could be:

Adding more style to your favorite grab
Landing that kicker for the first time
Gaining more speed through a section of gates

This new platform is being developed by two USCSA alumni (now volunteers) who need your help to grow the app! If you have any ideas or suggestions for new features, they would love to hear from you! Please email maggie@kriticsports.com

Be sure to use the #uscsa hashtag on you videos so everyone can see how others are progressing during the season, especially if your school is unable to compete this year.

Download the app from the Apple app store or Google play store:
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/kritic/id1530834462
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kriticsports.kritic

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President's Welcome

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