Cameron Smith named Nevada Ski Team head coach

Press release provided by University of Nevada, Reno

RENO, Nev. – Director of Athletics Stephanie Rempe announced Monday, July 10th, that Cameron Smith had been named the Nevada Ski Team’s head coach

Smith becomes the 21st head coach in Nevada Ski Team’s 75-year history and the second to lead the program since its reinstatement last August after being cut in 2010. He succeeds Mihaela Kosi, who announced she would be stepping down from her head coach role in May.

“With the return of the Nevada Ski Team last season, we committed to building a championship program. Hiring Cameron Smith, a rising star in the ski community, is a necessary step in our quest to return the Nevada Ski Team to great heights,” said Nevada Director of Athletics Stephanie Rempe. “With Cameron’s background as a championship-level skier and industry expert, we are confident in his ability to provide exceptional leadership for our program. He is passionate about the sport, the Reno-Tahoe area, and the University of Nevada. We are thrilled he is joining the Wolf Pack!”

“Starting with his time as a top student-athlete for one of the nation’s most storied collegiate skiing programs at the University of Colorado, Coach Smith has demonstrated that he has an excellent background in all aspects of competitive skiing, including deep ties throughout the country’s skiing industry and athlete development programs,” said University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval. “Cameron’s hiring marks a new and exciting era in Wolf Pack skiing. We wish to mark the beginning of this era by warmly welcoming Coach Smith to The Wolf Pack Family!”

Most recently, Smith served as an Alpine FIS Coach for Team Palisades Tahoe based out of Olympic Valley, Calif., helping athletes ages 16-20 develop fundamentals, techniques, and tactics for alpine racing. Smith coached athletes competing at all levels, from the North American Cup to regional FIS races.

Before his five-month stint at Team Palisades, Smith served as the U.S. Competition and Team Manager for HEAD/Tyrolia USA in Boulder, Colo. He managed HEAD USA’s Race Department as the primary contact and support for technical race product information for athletes, coaches, retailers, sales representatives, and the media. Smith worked closely with athletes on the U.S. Ski Team and top ski academies and club programs nationwide to grow the HEAD Race Department.

“I want to thank Stephanie Rempe and the rest of the Athletic Department for the opportunity to continue the hard work Mihaela began last year to rebuild the Nevada Ski Team. We can restore the ski team’s traditions and win an NCAA Skiing Championship. I’m excited to join the Wolf Pack family,” Smith said.

Smith spent one season (2016-17) as an assistant alpine coach at Colorado, assisting in recruiting and managing the team’s competition schedule and ongoing equipment acquisitions. Smith helped lead the Buffs to a second-place finish at the NCAA Championships, the 10th time Colorado earned runner-up honors. Along with the runner-up finish, Smith helped freshman David Ketterer make history by becoming the fifth skier in NCAA history to sweep the giant slalom and slalom titles in the same year.

Smith joined the Buffs staff following a four-year career (2012-16) with the Colorado ski team. During his career, Smith was a part of two NCAA championship teams (2013, 2015) as well as named the University of Colorado Sports People of the Year award winner for his performance in his sophomore year in 2014, where he finished 19th in slalom at the U.S. National Championships in Olympic Valley. Smith competed in 48 races overall, finishing 43 of them with 13 top-15 finishes.

2013-16, Smith served on Colorado’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). In that role, he provided a voice for the interests of the student-athletes concerning university relations, student-athlete welfare, and career development.

Smith has Alpine Coaching Level 100 and 200 certifications. He graduated from Colorado with a B.A. in environmental studies in 2016.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

“On behalf of the entire team here at HEAD, USA, I would like to congratulate Cameron Smith for being named the new HEAD coach for the University of Nevada, Reno ski team. Cameron was a valued and highly respected teammate during his time at HEAD. Though left for an opportunity outside the ski business, he remains a trusted member of our brand’s family.

Cameron’s not only a gifted coach, but he’s also always shown unwavering dedication to the success of his team and teammates. His experience as an assistant coach for the legendary Richard Rokos at the University of Colorado, coaching at Palisades Tahoe, and skiing on an NCAA National Championship team at CU brings a track record of successful teamwork to Nevada skiing.

I’ve been fortunate to ski with many of the world’s best skiers, and I can safely say that Cameron’s skiing skills make the list of the great ones, not only as a successful racer but also as a beautiful free skier.

Specific to Nevada, Cameron will not lead as a lone wolf. Instead, I’m confident he’ll ensure the Wolf Pack thrives as one.”

-Jon Rucker, President, HEAD/Tyrolia Wintersports USA

Cameron is the best candidate for the head coach position. His collegiate athletic experience, coaching and years in the industry combine the best blend of qualities to tackle a task. Besides a well-balanced personality, Cameron has always demonstrated leadership qualities.”

-Richard Rokos, Colorado Ski Head Coach (1991-2021)