7.15 - [RELEASE] USCSA Announces 2022 Award Recipients and the Activation of the Development Committee

Apr 18
4 min read

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jay Moyer

BOSTON, Massachusetts. – July 15th, 2022. The United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) is excited to announce the activation of a Development Committee and the winners of several 2021-2022 annual awards, including Coach of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and the Keystone Award.

Development Committee:

The USCSA continues to grow, and with this growth comes the responsibility to diversify sources of revenue to help offset operating expenses. The newly developed USCSA strategic plan has identified many priorities for the organization’s future, and enhancing USCSA’s financial security will directly support these.

There are numerous opportunities to engage donors and partners, but obtaining, supporting, and growing these opportunities require individuals with specialized skill sets. USCSA is interested in speaking with

potential committee members whose background and experience would enable the goals of the

committee and organization. Near-term initiatives and questions that the committee will address include:

Investigate and understand a target partnership market for the USCSA
Partner with Strategic Planning and Marketing Committees to establish USCSA pitch/marketing materials for sponsorship recruitment
Determine best practices for financial management of investments and/or partnership income
Evaluate the advantages/disadvantages of establishing an independent USCSA Foundation to manage a long-term endowment on behalf of the USCSA
Develop a 1, 3, and 5 year plan, in concert with the strategic plan, to diversify the USCSA’s revenue streams beyond membership dues.

Interested individuals with a relevant background should contact the USCSA at help@uscsa.org.

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 2022, the USCSA Coach of the Year was awarded to Andrew Willihan, Head Alpine Coach for the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF).

Coach Willihan has led the UMF Beavers’ Alpine Ski Teams since 2016, and was named the overall director of snowsports for the University in 2022. UMF’s Alpine Teams have consistently seen success since Coach Willihan took the helm, he has led UMF to 3 Conference titles, 2 Overall Men and Women Combined Ricker Cup titles, and qualified his teams to the USCSA Collegiate National Championships. Coach Willihan also serves as Co-Coordinator for the USCSA Reynolds Division of the Eastern Conference, one of the largest and most competitive collegiate ski conferences in the country.

"I am beyond humbled by the award,” said Coach Willihan. “I do not consider myself for these types of awards so to be noticed, nominated and named to this award in short made me speechless. The University of Maine at Farmington Snow Sports Program is an outstanding home for skiers and riders at all levels. This award is for them. They deserve the recognition as their efforts brought light to our program not mine. Thank you USCSA!”

Volunteer of the Year

Every year, the USCSA relies on hundreds of volunteers to make its regular season and National Championship competitions successful. Although every one 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 2022 Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Amy Johnson.

Amy has been a core volunteer at both the USCSA Midwest Conference and National level for nearly a decade. For the past several years, she has also been Chief of Awards at the USCSA Collegiate National Championships, giving her the responsibility for organizing and distributing literally dozens of individual and team awards each day of competition during the week-long event. Her diligent organization and management of these awards has ensured that our daily National Championship awards ceremonies run smoothly.

“This upcoming year will be my 10th year volunteering with USCSA,” said Amy after winning the award. “I am honored to be awarded volunteer of the year by some of the most hard working people I know. Helping with regional races throughout MN, WI and MI I typically help with timing and announcing, and at Nationals my focus is daily and final awards. Not a year has gone by that I haven't gotten choked up feeling the sense of pride and accomplishment of all of the individuals and teams that come out to make lifelong memories with their friends and teammates. USCSA volunteers are some of my best friends and the best teammates I could ask for. Sorting through awards and putting on daily and finals awards is often stressful and I couldn't do it alone. I want to thank all of my fellow volunteers for your support and encouragement and the vivid memories we've made together. I love being a part of this organization and I can't wait to do it all again this upcoming year in Mammoth!”

Keystone Award

The USCSA Keystone Award is given by the USCSA President to honor an individual who has assisted the President in the operations of the organization. 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 202 season, President Chris Shumeyko awarded the Keystone Award to Andy Rangen.

“Our volunteers are the heartbeat of the USCSA,” said President Shumeyko. “WIthout them, this organization wouldn't be what it is today and it's really exciting when we get to recognize these individuals each year at our Summer Conference. This year, I was truly honored to present Andy Rangen with the Keystone Award, for his continued contributions to the USCSA. From ensuring a successful resurgence of our National Championships to helping identify and onboard Meegan, our new Managing Director, Andy has not only made my job easier, but has made a tremendous impact for every member of this organization.”

Upon winning the award, Andy said, “It really meant a lot to me to receive the Keystone award. I've been involved in the USCSA for a long time and at various levels of the organization and receiving the Keystone award has been one of the highlights. As I've transitioned my role to be more advisory in nature, it's very gratifying to have that value be recognized. Although I am not one to feel like awards and accolades are necessary to my involvement, I do recognize the importance for everyone else to see these awards given out and recognition of the wonderful volunteers we have in USCSA. I'm appreciative and humbled to be recognized in this way.”

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For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact jmoyer@uscsa.org