Help UofM Nordic Ski Club

Wed, Feb  4, 2015 - By Ellen Wiitala

My name is Ellen Wiitala, and I grew up in Marquette, MI and was an avid racer throughout high school, competing at both a state and national level. Nordic skiing has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. This year, some classmates and I started the University of Michigan Nordic Ski Club. The mission of our organization is to pursue physical fitness, camaraderie, and outdoor recreation through the sport of Nordic skiing. We are a competitive team that welcomes athletes of all skill and ability levels. This year, we have raced at the Frosty Freestyle/Krazy Klassic, Noquemanon Ski Marathon, Forbush Corner Freestyle, and are planning to race at the White Pine Stampede and VASA Ski Marathon.

So far, we have been having so much fun and a lot of success as a team, however, these trips have left us with very little remaining funds (right now, our only funding comes from 1 year of dues from our 26 members). We hope to become a fully funded club sport at the University next fall and continue to race all around the state (and possibly the country), but until then, we could really use your help so we can afford transportation, race, and lodging fees. As college students we are very thankful whenever we can get assistance and support from the established nordic ski community, and we hope to give back by volunteering and eventually starting a youth program to get young kids into the sport.

UoM Nordic Ski Club takes on the 2015 Noquemanon Ski Marathon.
Back row: Doug Watts, Matt Villalta, Abby Potts, Erica Dombro, Benjy Jepsen.
Front Row: Emily Fisher, Ellen Wiitala, Ellie Callison

If you or anyone you know has a few extra dollars to spare, please consider donating to our team! We have a GoFundMe account (gofundme.com/l1zibc) If you can write a check (made out to 'Michigan Nordic Ski Club' we’ll get 100% of your donation (GoFundMe costs us about 8%). Checks can be mailed to 430 Cross St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

Thank you very much for your time.

Ellen Wiitala
[email protected]