UMF exemplifies the excellence of USCSA

Most collegiate skiers are members of the United States Collegiate Ski Association. USCSA snow sports include alpine, Nordic, snowboard, Freeski and even some Nordic jumping programs. Currently, the most successful former collegiate ski racer is the University of Denver’s Leif Haugen. However, few know that before Haugen, it was USCSA athlete Sierra Nevada University graduate Uros Pavlovcic with his 2001 World Cup GS podium in Kranjska Gora. USCSA alpine programs are spread across the country in over 11 conferences. If there is snow, a team will likely be nearby. There are currently 170+ USCSA schools that offer a wide variety of opportunities. The University of Maine Farmington is one of the best opportunities.

The programs vary from fully funded, professionally coached to self-funded student-athlete managed. Each one serves a purpose and fills a need. Ski Racing Media is looking forward to following the USCSA excitement this winter. However, this article is about hearing directly from the coach, athletes and parents connected to the University of Maine Farmington.

Tom Reynold’s vision continues

Thanks to the visionary founder of Farmington skiing Tom Reynolds, this program is legendary. No one anywhere in the world loves skiing and ski racing more than him. Reynolds is known for his willingness to share his knowledge and assist in educating anyone with an interest in the sport. His passion remains an integral part of UMF and is still the energy driving the program to be its best. Reynold’s mantra is coaching is teaching and teaching is coaching.

Anyone who has witnessed a USCSA event understands the value they provide and how much fun they offer. However, the USCSA National Championships are at the next level. They include hundreds of athletes from all over the country participating in many disciplines, coming together for a season-ending celebration of their sports.

The USCSA 2022 Coach of the Year is UMF Head Coach Andrew Willihan. Coach Willihan is a true professional. He offers the experience and knowledge to lead any team to athletic success. However, when you speak to him, you realize, like many collegiate coaches, he has all the characteristics of a great mentor. He loves competition but cherishes the opportunity to offer a situation for his athletes to grow in all aspects of their lives. He speaks more about his relationships in the ski racing community than his conference titles.

UMF Coach Andrew Willihan

When asked what the three most valuable things are that a coach can provide, Willihan responded:

1. Care for them! You must care for them.  As a new father, my eyes were wide open for the first time as a coach three years ago.  When you show care to someone above and beyond a superficial transactional level, it is incredible how someone grows.  All aspects—food, safety, education, and emotional wellbeing—it’s all in there. 
2. Guide them! Guide them through life, whether it’s skiing IQ and the knowledge they are receiving, or when the proverbial manure hits the fan and they need someone outside their nuclear family.  Part of guiding is knowing that you, as a coach, are responsible for being educated in your sport. You cannot misguide an athlete athletically, especially in sports involving speed. Be a constant learner to be the best vessel of knowledge you can be for your athlete.  You do not need to be a John Wooden of sport, but you should strive to be.  Guiding also means holding them accountable. They must know where the pasture fence is. 
3. Believe in them! ALL athletes need a coach that believes in them more than they believe in themselves both when they are struggling and when they are succeeding. 

UMF Athletes speak

Abbey Landry athlete

“I love the community that surrounds our snow sports program. My teammates share a strong bond that I feel makes Farmington a unique and special experience compared to other collegiate programs. 

It’s given me a boost in self-confidence to be surrounded by such a supportive and uplifting environment. The ski team has added an irreplaceable value to my collegiate experience. 

I have made lifelong friendships and connections through this program. These relationships are incredibly important and special to me. It makes the challenges of being a college student-athlete easier to overcome with such a strong support system around me.” 

Paloma Shelton athlete

“To me, being a Beaver is more than just a team. To me, it means family, knowing that I always have someone by my side to support me, hype me up when I’m feeling down, and push me out of my comfort zone when I need to be challenged. From the day I got to Farmington all of my teammates have supported me, helped me get through hard times and celebrated the good times. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

UMF Parents of team members realize the value

Jennifer Coan-Mahmood

We went through an extensive college search with Grace to find the right school. We wanted one that checked all the boxes – academics, affordability, size, location, community, and culture. In addition to those attributes, Grace wanted an alpine team funded and supported by the school. She required it to have a coach she connected with and offered access to great training and racing facilities. She found all that at the University of Maine at Farmington.”

Like her mother, Grace plans on coaching after she graduates.

Jonathan Roy parent

“I believe my son has benefitted from being a part of the UMF ski racing team in several ways.  First, it has made the college transition a bit easier for him and provided him with the opportunity to meet new people and stay active.  His first year at UMF was a bit atypical because of COVID. However, being a ski team member allowed him to stay balanced and maintain a level of normalcy.  He has made great friends and is being coached at a high level. He is also in a situation where he can continue to improve and push himself from a performance standpoint.  I believe his involvement with the program is a big reason for his classroom success.” 

Ted Shelton parent

“I am always impressed by the camaraderie amongst ski racers vs. other head-to-head sports. This conference is special. I also love how collegiate skiing scores as a team while at the same time recognizing individual athletes.” 

Ski Racing Media continues to hear about athletes’ great experiences at the NCAA and USCSA schools. Being a team member is not always a part of ski racing, but it is an essential component of the experience when you race for a school. If an athlete loves ski racing and wants to continue after high school, they should know somewhere there is a program perfect for them.