NMU gets Shane MacDowell as new assistant Nordic coach

Tue, Aug  4, 2015 - By NMU

MARQUETTE, Mich. - Northern Michigan University head Nordic skiing coach Sten Fjeldheim has announced the hiring of Shane MacDowell as assistant coach.

"Shane will be a valuable assistant both as a coach and race service technician for the men's and women's ski teams," said Fjeldheim.  "Shane has had several years experience at the national level and his professional attitude and knowledge of ski training and competition will be a great asset to our program. I am looking forward to having Shane join us here at NMU."

MacDowell began as a retail associate and wax technician for Boulder Nordic Sport (BNS) East before he began a career in coaching.  His first head coaching job came at Cape Elizabeth High School where he coached a student-athlete to two state championships and All-American accolades at Junior Nationals.

He then accepted a position as the head coach of the BNS Acceleration Program where he developed weekly training plans and consulted with athletes on technique and effective strength programs.

MacDowell then became an assistant coach for the Sun Valley Ski and Eductaion Foundation (SVSEF) Gold Team where he was also the head wax technician.  His duties included organizing wax testing for the Super Tour, national events, and for Intermountain Junior National qualifiers along with coaching and mentoring the Gold Team and Junior athletes.

Shane MacDowell at a NENSA U23/Senior cross country ski race camp in 2007

MacDowell earned his bachelors degree in English and Journalism from the University of New Hampshire in May of 2009.  At New Hampshire he was also a member of the Nordic skiing team from 2005-2009.  His racing career has consisted of multiple top-15 finishes in the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association (EISA) Carnival and being named a member of the Junior Olympic Nordic Ski Team in 2003 and 2005.

"I'm very excited to join Sten and the NMU Nordic skiing team," said McDowell.  "NMU has a rich tradition of winning and being successful and I'm excited that I have the opportunity not only to be a part of that tradition but build on it.