2000s

The first decade of the new century is full of promise for the club. The Mount Mansfield Winter Academy moves to a new home. New stars are representing the club on the World Cup alpine and snowboard circuits. The junior programs are loaded with young talent.

1999-2000

  • Lou Strong retired after long years and extreme hours as Executive Secretary and Office Manager. Marina Gisquet moved into her chair and Mary Beth Kreizel agreed to be Race Secretary.
  • An MMSC Freestyle Team was born.
  • Jay Ross left to follow his daughter Lauren’s career. Tom Silva adopted the JIIIs and Billy Reichelt the JIVs. Bob St. Pierre headed the Freestyle program.
  • Scott Moriarty, our Head Coach was named the VARA and the USSA Domestic Alpine Coach of the Year, after 20 years of coaching and hoping.
  • Kyle Clancy earned a top 5 World Cup Snowboard finish.
  • The World Military Ski Championships again were held (with biathlon at Camp Johnson.)
  • The Snowboard program blossomed and became a force in competition. Twenty five qualified for Nationals and Lauren Whalley got Gold twice, Shay Manning wins a bronze and silver, and Jake Blauvelt wins a gold medal. More Combined awards followed.
  • At the Alpine Nationals, many current athletes competed, but former MMSC Erik Schlopy starred with a first in slalom at Jackson Hole.
  • Lauren Ross is recipient of the VARA Ginny Hunt Scholarship, and is named to 1999-2000 VARA Team. Erik Schlopy wins Buddy Werner Award.
  • Matt Knittle wins 2000 NCAA giant slalom for the University of Vermont.
  • A stunning celebration was held in honor of George Tormey, who was killed in a motorcycle accident on July 4th. Tributes were given by Woody Knight, Bob Bortree, and Tim Beck. Barry Stone was master of Ceremonies; Paul Reed and Tiger Shaw also shared memories. Over $15,000 was raised for the MMSEF.

2000-2001

  • A new scholarship was created in memory of Wendy Nourjian, a ski club booster and founder of the Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy. Abi Copeland won the 2000 Founders Scholarship.
  • Olympian Steve Mahre came to support the teams in the Vermont Olympic Challenge. The Smallwood-Hazelett team captured the bronze.
  • The MMSEF dropped the “S” to become the Mt. Mansfield Educational Foundation, and the MMSC became the Mt. Mansfield Ski & Snowboard Club.
  • Bud Keane’s riders brought home 11 medals and 6 national titles from the Finals at Mammoth (Lauren Whalley earned gold and silver). Jenner Richards was chosen to coach at the FIS Junior Worlds in Austria.
  • The Director of the Mt. Mansfield Touring Center, John Higgins, died of cancer. The Stowe Derby was dedicated to him.
  • Bill Reichelt left to become the assistant coach at UVM, Jessica Reigle took over his JIVs. Joe Smith joined up as the Freestyle Head Coach. Bud Keane was named Jr. National Snowboard Team coach.
  • Chris Romano became Office Manager, while Mary Beth Kreizel stayed on as Event Secretary.
  • Walt Yusen, a long time member and club supporter, crippled by a degenerative disease, was honored in a surprise luncheon at the Commodore; friends established a fund for the Walt Yusen Award for the Best Club Volunteer.
  • The experienced freestyle skiers, Rachel Karkowski and Steve Wolbrom signed up with the MMSC team.
  • Former club members, Chip Knight took 2nd in the NorAm’s giant slalom and slalom standings and Erik Schlopy was on a roll with two World Cup GS silvers, and SG and SL victories at Nationals.
  • Snowboarders Lauren Whalley, Alex Scherbatsky and Jake Blauvelt were named to the Junior National Team – and the mountain got a Super-pipe dragon.
  • The Vermont Ski Museum was finally to be a reality on Stowe’s old Town Hall. Restoration of the building was progressing and a 2002 opening predicted.
  • Jessica Kelley is recipient of the VARA Ginny Scholarship. Hannah Kreizel is recipient of VARA Mickey Cochran Scholarship. Jessica Kelley, Lauren Ross, Tyler Barlow, Matt Knittle (UVM) named to 2000-2001 VARA Team.

2001-2002

  • Another Olympic year saw many MMSC athletes in Salt Lake City – as forerunners, coaches, and competitors. Bud Keane and Jesse Hunt coached, Lauren Whalley was half-pipe forerunner, and Chip Knight and Erik Schlopy raced. Chip was 12th in the slalom and Erik 14th.
  • Bish McGill, Linda Adams, and Tom Amidon were inductees to the MMEF Hall of Fame at a fun filled evening at Topnotch. Close to $13,000 was raised for the foundation.
  • At the annual team banquet, the biggest ever – MMEF awards were presented to Erik Gilbert, Sam Lukens, Kiki Rendall, Connor Moriarty, Olivia Caccavo, Anna Furney, Jack Reed, Chris Copeland, Tim Kelley and Charlie LaRosa.
  • The ski club acquired a new software program called Dartfish, which will provide new tools to analyze training and race video.
  • Work began on widening the Hayride to meet FIS specifications for homologation. The existing trail was no longer a candidate for major races.
  • The Club hosted its first sanctioned freestyle mogul competition, a big challenge for groomers. Our team fared well here and at many major events.
  • Jack Reed wins gold in Junior Olympic slalom, qualifies for Whistler Cup where he scores a top 10 result against the best JIIIs in the world.
  • Stephanie Peters and Amy Cochran are named to the Eastern Team. James Cochran, Matt Knittle (UVM) named to 2001-2002 VARA Team.
  • Jessica Kelley is 2nd in the GS at the World Junior Championships.

2002-2003

  • The Mansfield Ski & Snowboard Club adopted a new logo that reflects its larger program.
  • The new Hayride (the steepest race trail in the East) opened to all, with Eastern Cup races scheduled.
  • Ron Biedermann assumed the MMSC Presidency, as Paul Reed retired.
  • Bud Keane and Jenner Richards were taken away by the USST and Tom Anderson came to coach the riders.
  • The MMSC JIIIs and JIVs are best in Vermont, capturing the VARA Cup trophy, with scoring based on Vermont State Championship results. MMSC Junior III team was led by Peter Hazelett (Vermont State Champion) and Allison Martini.
  • “Chick on Sticks” ruled the Ski Bum Races with two all-girls teams qualifying for the Championships. Jess Wells, Nancy Paul, Star Sudan and Kate Lapenta wore the crowns.
  • Erik Schlopy pulled off a podium in the World Championships in St. Moritz with a bronze in the GS. He also placed 15th in slalom, while Chip Knight raced to 11th.
  • The second generation of racing Cochran’s continued the family tradition. Jimmy Cochran won 5 Eastern Cups and led the UVM Team while cousin, Jessica Kelley was named to the USST “C” Team squad, and wins Nor-Am GS title.
  • Lauren Ross was also climbing in her career with fine finishes in FIS and NorAm races here and in Europe.
  • Kara Crow, Tucker Speer, Tim Kelley, Peter Hazelett, Chris Copeland, Hannah Allen, Anna Furney, Alison Martini, Erik Gilbert and Peter Ruschp won the annual MMEF Merit Awards.
  • Kara Crow, Erik Johnson, Pat Quiet, Ethan Dahlberg, and Jack Reed are named to 2002-2003 VARA Team. Kara Crow wins the Willy Schaeffler Award for winning the JII Nationals Combined title and is recipient of the VARA George Tormey Scholarship. Bud Keane was International Snowboard Coach of the Year.

2003-2004

  • Erik Schlopy and Chip Knight on USST “A” Team, Lauren Ross on “B” Team, and Jessica Kelley and Jimmy Cochran on “C” Team.
  • Kara Crow, Peter Hazelett, Tim Kelley, and Amy Cochran (at UVM) named to 2003-2004 VARA Team.
  • Tom Sequist resigns as Executive Director and is replaced Igor Vanovac.
  • Billy Kidd wins USSA’s Russell Wilder Award is given annually to recognize the most outstanding effort in focusing the interests of American youth on the sports of skiing or snowboard.
  • Jesse Hunt named top Alpine International Coach the Year.

2004-2005

  • Erik Schlopy on USST “A” Team, Lauren Ross, Chip Knight and Jimmy Cochran on “C” Team, and Jessica Kelley named to the “D” Team.
  • Hannah Allen named to 2004-2005 VARA Team. Mike Leach is recipient of VARA Volunteer of the Year Award.
  • MMSC win VARA Cup Trophy, awarded to the top JIII and JIV team in Vermont, based on results at the State Championships.
  • Annie Rendall and Robbie Kelley win JIII Olympics slalom and earn a trip to compete against the best JIIIs in the world at the Whistler Cup.
  • Andrew Shaw joins Aunt Ann Shaw in the University of Vermont Hall Fame.

2005-2006

  • Seven current and former MMSC athletes named to the USST for the 2005-2006 season: Erik Schlopy (A), Chip Knight (B), Jimmy Cochran (B), Tim Kelley (D), Lauren Ross (B), Jessica Kelley (B), and Kara Crow (D)!
  • There is much anticipation to ride the new Big Spruce Quad Chairlift called Sensation. A new state-of-the-art snow-making system is installed on the Main Street trail.
  • After a vigorous capital campaign the Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy became the owner of its own home on October 21, 2005.
  • Micheline Lemay moves from assistant coach in the JIIIs to lead the JV&VI program. Emily Copeland takes over the JIV head coaching duties. Lorant Gudasz joins Tom Silva and Mike Leach in the JIIIs. Lindy Cochran-Kelley joins the JII coaching staff. Bob St. Pierre heads up the Freestyle program. Mike Slaughter is head coach of the riders.
  • The MMSC develops new and improved website.
  • Annual Hall of Fame Dinner/Auction celebrates past MMSC Olympians: Tiger Shaw, Rosie Fortna, Billy Kidd, Madi Springer-Miller Kraus, Marvin Moriarty, Bud Keane, Jesse Hunt, Harper Phillips, Gordie Eaton, Marilyn Shaw-McMahon, Rip McManus, Erik Schlopy, Chip Knight, and Nancy Bell-Johnstone. Nine of these athletes attend to share memories.
  • Twelve athletes with MMSC ties are named to the 2005-2006 VARA Team: Alison Martini, Annie Rendall, Robbie Kelley, Casey Giebink, Chip Knight (USST), Erik Schlopy (USST), Jimmy Cochran (USST), Lauren Ross (USST), Tim Kelley (USST), Kara Crow (USST), and Ellie Anderson (BMA).
  • Karl Johnson, racing for Dartmouth, wins SL at the NCAA Championships.
  • Bud Keane was International Snowboard Coach of the Year and Tom Silva wins 2006 VARA Coach of the Year.

2006-2007

  • Tim Kelley is named to the U.S. Ski Team.

2007-2008

  • Under construction

2008-2009

  • Under construction
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65 Academy Way
Stowe, VT, 05672
Phone (Academic): (802) 253-7409
Phone (Athletic): (802) 253-7704

The ambition of the Mt. Mansfield Academy is to provide the support and direction necessary for each young person to achieve their personal potential, goals and dreams.