CXC's Bryan Fish joins US Ski Team coach staff

PARK CITY, UT (May 13) - The coaching staff of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team has a new addition as Bryan Fish joins the ranks to take the role of Continental Cup coach, Nordic Program Director John Farra announced Thursday.

"Being offered the U.S. Ski Team Cross Country Continental Cup coaching position is a great honor," Fish said. "I’m excited for this opportunity to be a part of the US Ski Team."

"By hiring Bryan, we are bringing someone into the U.S. Cross Country Team who is ready to contribute to the success of the program immediately," Farra said. "He has the experience working with elite athletes, and he has the work ethic and the knowledge that will allow him to hit the ground running."

Fish comes from the head coaching position for the Central Cross Country (CXC) elite program, where he had coached since its inception in April 2006. At CXC he helped to qualify one athlete to the 2010 Olympics and six athletes for World Cup competition in 2010.  He was named USSA's Development Coach of the Year in 2008.

Before his time at CXC, Fish coached for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay from November 1998 until his move to the Central program. Fish also worked full time as an engineer for FEECO International and ENCAP in research and development and as a production leader. 

According to U.S. Cross Country Head Coach Chris Grover, Fish is a welcome addition to the program, which he hopes the new coach will help develop further.

"I am very excited about the addition of Bryan to our staff. Our greater cross country community knows Bryan and respects the work that he has done with the CXC Elite Team," Grover said. "He has been instrumental in getting that program off the ground and turning it into one of the best regional development programs in the country. Its athletes have played key roles on our World Championship and Olympic Teams over the past four years, and Bryan has had much to do with that."

Fish has a history of success with the USSA as he was awarded the 2007 United States Ski and Snowboard Association Development Coach of the Year as well as the 2007 United States Ski and Snowboard Association Cross Country Domestic Coach of The Year.

"I am passionate about building on the efforts and opportunities I have had with CXC to collaborate, support, and work diligently to build the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team Continental Cup athletes to the elite level," Fish said. "A personal goal of mine is to continue to support and encourage skiing and increase the performance of skiing at every age and level.”