Teclaw takes over as Green Bay Nordic Skiing Coach

Central Collegiate Ski Association

Fri, Jul  6, 2012 - By Ryan Hartwig

GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - Green Bay Athletics announced on Monday that Steve Teclaw will take over as head coach of the men's and women's Nordic skiing teams after four seasons as an assistant with the school. In addition, former Northern Michigan standout Tim Cook has been hired as the program's associate head coach.

"My excitement about being named the next head coach of the Phoenix Nordic ski program stems mainly from remembering our past success and my vision for the future," Teclaw said. "I have seen this program go through a lot, and I know that the team and its associated culture is as tough as nails. We know that in order to make this team a conference contender we have to focus on the simple stuff, including hard work, smart training and structure."

Teclaw replaces Ken Statz, a former Phoenix skier (2001-06) who served as head coach for one season in 2011-12.

Teclaw (right) has served as an assistant with the Phoenix since 2009.

Teclaw joined the Phoenix staff in January of 2009 and has since gained experience in all aspects of the program, including leading practices, preparing skis for competition, recruiting and performing other administrative duties.

In 2010 Teclaw helped guide a pair of Phoenix skiers at the NCAA Skiing Championships in Steamboat Springs, Colo., where men's senior Santi Ocariz turned in a top-10 finish and earned Second Team All-American honors and women's junior Carolyn Freeman picked up a 17th-place finish in the 15K freestyle. Teclaw also coached Freeman to an NCAA berth the following year in Stowe, Vt., where she placed 15th in the 5K freestyle - the second-highest finish by a Phoenix female.

A 2011 graduate of UW-Green Bay, Teclaw earned a bachelor's degree in environmental policy and planning and currently has a job in corporate quality in Green Bay. As a student, Teclaw was awarded the Chancellor's Medallion for his outstanding leadership and community involvement, and was also presented the Chancellor's Certificate of Appreciation for Military Service for his role in the United States Coast Guard.

Teclaw becomes Green Bay's fourth head coach in as many seasons following the untimely death of former Phoenix coach Butch Reimer in 2010. Reimer led the Phoenix from 1988-98, and again from 2006-10. Teclaw served as an assistant under Reimer for two seasons, and then worked with interim head coach Nate Balk in 2010-11 and Statz in 2011-12.

Cook, a Rhinelander, Wis., native, was a member of the Northern Michigan Nordic ski team from 2005-10 where he was voted team captain during his final two seasons. Cook was the first alternate for the NCAA Championships in the 2009-10 campaign, and was a First Team All-CCSA selection along with Ocariz in 2009. Tim is the brother of Chris Cook, who competed for the United States at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy.

"Tim's skiing history, both personally and within his family, is very impressive," Teclaw said. "We both share the same values, and his talents will be very instrumental in our coaching equation. I believe it is apparent that Tim and I are prepped to continue the racing success that both Rhinelander and Green Bay know very well."