SR Staff Report
Release courtesy of NYSEF
The New York Ski Educational Foundation (NYSEF) is proud to announce the appointment of Seppi Stiegler to Alpine Men’s Head Coach. Stiegler will lead the FIS Men’s preparation and competition programming at NYSEF and Northwood School which includes overseeing strength and conditioning, on-snow training, and ongoing equipment support.
“Seppi brings a fresh perspective from outside our program and our region. That, combined with his success as an athlete and experience at the highest level of the sport, will add to an already seasoned and talented group of coaches, and bring new insights to all our FIS athletes,” said NYSEF Executive Director, John Norton. “We look forward to welcoming him into our community and getting started.”
Stiegler’s ski racing journey began in Jackson Hole, WY before moving on to the Winter Sports School in Park City, UT. He is a three-time NCAA All American and Individual National Champion at the University of Denver where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration and a Minor in Economics. Stiegler is a tremendous asset because of his instant familiarity to the athletes. “He exemplifies what an accomplished career as a college athlete and an academic scholar looks like. He has perspective for all our student-athletes on how to balance sport and work now and beyond NYSEF, and can relate to their aspirations,” Norton said.
Following graduation, Stiegler was nominated to the US Ski Team.
“It’s an honor to have Seppi lead our Men’s FIS team,” says Northwood School Program Director, Tommy Biesemeyer. “His father, Pepi, is an Olympic gold medalist for Austria; his sister, Resi, is a 3-time Olympian and 19-year US Ski Team member; Seppi was an NCAA National Champion and US Ski Team athlete, too. We are thrilled to work with Seppi, and I can’t wait to watch our athletes develop under his leadership.”
After his time with the US Ski Team, he went on to compete independently for three years with Peter Lange and Team America. Stiegler simultaneously competed while working summers for Erich Sailer Ski Racing Camps where his introduction to coaching began.
Stiegler commented on his introduction into coaching, “I had the unique opportunity to be a race coach for many years with Erich Sailer and Alan Lauba at Crystal Mountain Alpine Club (CMAC). They understood the importance of having role models and mentors around their skiers. The crossover between coaching and racing was new, exciting, and helped me become a better athlete and mentor myself. I saw the impact I had on the kids, and I immediately found joy in sharing my knowledge.”
In 2016, Stiegler began coaching at the Jackson Hole Ski Club (JHSC) and in 2017, Stiegler started Stiegler Ski Racing Camps. During his time with JHSC, he quickly became the Head Alpine FIS Coach where he developed elite junior athletes that grew to compete on NCAA teams and National Development Groups. Stiegler Ski Racing Camps was born with one camp in Saas Fee, Switzerland and has grown to year-round, post-graduate programming under his leadership.
Stiegler will work alongside Head FIS Women’s Coach, Jeremy Transue and Head U16 Coach, Patrick Purcell. Together, they will collaborate on a number of programs including camps, conditioning, training and more. “I am thrilled to welcome Seppi,” said Transue. “He displays a level of professionalism and commitment to his athletes and will have a lasting impact on the program. We will develop a supportive team environment on and off the hill for the NYSEF/Northwood Men’s and Women’s FIS programs.”
Stiegler added, “I was very lucky to have had some outstanding coaches over the years. I appreciate them more every day, and I’m thankful for the independence and self-confidence they helped me develop. I have been down the same road as our skiers. This is a great opportunity for us to share what I know and build the same opportunities for others.”
Stiegler will begin working with the NYSEF and Northwood School FIS Men’s team this spring and will join NYSEF full-time in Lake Placid, NY in the early fall. Off the hill, Stiegler enjoys all sports – including dirt and mountain biking, running and spending time with his soon-to-be wife, Alex.
