Coach Nick Baic Named 2006 Ski Coach of The Year
Thu, Feb 8, 2007 - By Pete Edwards
The Great Lakes Nordic Ski Council has named Nick Baic of Walloon Lake, Michigan the "2006 Ski Coach of the Year." Nick Baic (Coach Nick) receives this special award and recognition because of the countless hours he has dedicated to promoting cross country skiing – hosting local cross country ski races and state championships, coaching local high school skiers and serving as head coach of the Great Lakes Junior Olympic Team. Baic was also an official at the 2001 World Cup races at Soldier Hollow, Utah and the 2002 Olympic Games, also held at Soldier Hollow. Many of Coach Nick’s skiers have successfully competed at the state, national and international level - earning "All State" honors, "All American" certificates and numerous podiums at the USA Junior Olympics.
Nick and his wife Anne, own and operate the Boyne Valley Lodge. Both are engineers and graduates of Michigan Tech, where Nick competed at the collegiate level. The Boyne Valley Lodge has hosted numerous cross country ski camps and races – including the Michigan High School State Finals.
Nick’s father Vojin Baic was a driving force in USSA (United States Ski Association) and one of the country’s leading proponents of cross country skiing. Vojin’s enthusiasm and love of the sport can be observed today whenever there is snow. Nick’s endless commitment locally and with the Great Lakes Junior Olympic Team can be attributed to the many years he observed Vojin promoting cross country skiing, pushing athletes to do their best and teaching those athletes to be successful and have fun.
Coach Nick officiating in sub-zero temperatures at the recent Michigan Cup Sprints
(Photo by Gary Byar)
(Photo by Gary Byar)
Coach Nick’s efforts to keep our Great Lakes Junior Olympic program alive and well has allowed hundreds of our region’s youth to experience the thrill and excitement of competition at a national level. Nick’s commitment as head coach of the Great Lakes Junior Olympic team has provided the opportunity for local athletes to compete at famous race venous in New York’s Lake Placid, Alaska’s Fairbanks, California’s Truckee and Idaho’s McCall.
The Great Lakes Junior Olympic Team gained national recognition at the 2003 Junior Olympics in Fairbanks, Alaska when Coach Nick stacked the girls relay with the Coulter twins (Anna and Julia) and Cassidy Edwards. The spectators went crazy as the Great Lakes team duked it out every lap with the exceptionally strong Junior Olympic team from Alaska. In a thrilling photo finish the team from Alaska ended up with the gold, but the silver medal was proof that the team from the Great Lakes could ski with the nations best. For the athletes it was as thrilling as gold and set the stage for many more podiums to come. Congratulations Coach Nick!
Coach Nick Baic will be recognized at the 2007 North American VASA awards party, Saturday, February 10th, 2007 in the in the packed Hagerty Center banquet hall during the North American VASA Awards Party! Party starts at 5:30 p.m.
The Great Lakes Nordic Ski Council members include the leading cross country ski areas and supporting business dedicated to promoting cross country skiing in the Great Lakes Region.
For more information please contact Pete Edwards, Chairman of the Great Lakes Nordic Ski Council’s Coach of the Year Nominating Committee.
Phone: 231-334-3080
Email: [email protected]