Controversial topic to be addressed at USSA Congress
Mon, May 18, 2009 - By Pete Vordenberg
Controversial Topic to be addressed at USSA Congress
By a process of examining who on our team was making the most progress and who wasn't we began adjusting the team and program structure to match the pathway most of our athletes are taking and have taken who are making measurable progress. This is a short write up that as it pertains to post high school skiers who aim to win internationally.
The USST is encouraging top athletes graduating from high school to follow the USST post-graduate pathway. This pathway involves committing one to two years to full time ski training with either the USST or a USST partner program directly after high school. This program is a win-win situation for all involved. The main players are the athlete, the parents, college programs, club programs and the US Ski Team. Firstly, the athlete will be able to focus on training and racing in two very important developmental years. This ensures that they are on track with their international counterparts.
Secondly, the athlete can test the life of a full time ski racer and make an educated decision about continuing to ski full time or skiing in college.
Thirdly, should the athlete decide to ski in college after a year or two they will be stronger, fitter and more mature. This makes them a better recruit for the college and will be more likely to win a scholarship over the more mature foreign recruits.
Finally, the older more mature athlete will be a much more focused student. These factors are important to the athlete, but also to the parent and to the college. The parent is sending more directed, mature and focused student/athlete to a college that will be more interested in giving that student/athlete a scholarship. The college will benefit from recruiting fitter, faster and more mature student/athletes. These students will help the college realize it’s NCAA goals as well as round out a college ski team.
The final players are the USST and USST partner programs who benefit from being able to train the USA’s top athletes toward international success in these formative years as well as be able to retain those who wish to continue as full time skiers after the initial post graduate years.
This is truly a win-win situation for all involved.
USSA CONGRESS 2009 MEETING SCHEDULE
NORDIC Schedule
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2009
1:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Cross Country Officials Subcommittee - Bob Gross chair
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2009
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Jumping/NC officials - Matt Laue chair
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Cross Country Coaches Subcommittee - John Callahan chair
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2009
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Cross Country Coaches Subcommittee - John Callahan chair
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Jumping/NC coaches - Todd Wilson chair
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2009
9:00 a.m. - noon Cross Country Committee Meeting - Jon Engen chair
9:00 a.m. - noon Jumping/NC coaches - Todd Wilson chair
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Jumping/NC Sport Committee Meeting - Chuck Heckert chair
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