We are the University of Minnesota Duluth Alpine Ski Team. Actually, technically you would have to call us a club, due to the fact that we are not considered a sport by the college. The makeup of our team ranges from experienced High School, USSA, and FIS racers, to the more recreational racers. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be turned away. The experience is what you make of it. Everyone is responsible for themselves. We pay our own way from lift tickets to lodging to gas and snacks.. Sometimes our parents get together and have a barbecue at the races. Each year the team dues are around $150. This covers all of the USCSA (United States Collegiate Snowsports Association) National and the MCSA (Midwest Collegiate Ski Association) Regional Fees. The fee also covers a per race insurance fee that we have to pay as well. We have several full time coaches. Our coaches are USSA certified and continue to pursue additional education to help the team get better! For more information on our coaching, please email info@umdskiteam.com.

Training: We start our dryland training in early October (provides enough time to get settled in for our Freshmen). We typically have scheduled practice Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6pm. We work on Medals testing specific workouts, as well as fun workouts with some variations on soccer and Rugby. We also often get together to go Mountain Biking, Rollerblading, Kayaking, Hiking, and various other outdoor activities. On hill practice starts as soon as Spirit opens. We train at Spirit Mountain Monday through Thursday from 530-8pm. Our training venues are some of the best in the midwest. We also recently aquired a wireless timing system from the University to aid in our training. We video tape most practices and do video analysis 1-2 days per week.

Competition: Our team competes in the MCSA division of the USCSA. We compete against many other schools in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Michigan. The races typically begin early Saturday mornings, with a racer meeting at around 9am. Saturday is Slalom, and Sunday is GS. Two runs each day. There is both a men's and women's winner each day, and then a winner for the races combined. There is also a team winner for each day. Each team designates 5 racers for an "A" team, and 5 racers for a "B" team. Everyone else is allowed to compete as well, but they are not eligible for team points. The top three "A" team finishers are totaled to determine the team finish. We have 5 possible regular races, followed by a divisional race, where the top 5 finishing teams, along with 2 wild card teams advance to the Regional race. Each division of the MCSA brings seven teams to the regional race. The regional race is held in Marquette, MI and it is usually an even of over 220 racers. The top 3 teams and top 1 (that's right, only one) individual qualifies for the National event. We have been fortunate enough to qualify 3 teams in the last four years. We are in the Lake Superior division of the MCSA. Other teams competing in our division are:

Clarke College, Michigan Tech University, Northern Michigan University (women), Carleton College, St. Cloud State University, St. Olaf College, Univ. of Minn - Duluth, Univ. of Minn, Minneapolis, Univ. of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, Marquette University, Univ. of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, University of St. Thomas, Univ. of Wisconsin, Univ. of Wisc, River Falls, Univ. of Wisc., Stout, Mesabi Community & Tech. College

Eligibility:
To be eligible to race, you have to be a full time student at the University of Minnesota Duluth. You have to have at least 12 semester credits and unless you are a freshman you must have been a full time student in the previous semester to the competition season. Also to be eligible to compete in post season racing, Divisionals and Regionals, you must compete in AT LEAST 2 FULL RACES. NO EXCEPTIONS! Also, to compete at Regionals, a skier must have also participated at Divisionals. All racers will be welcome at both Regionals and Divisionals, one to two alternates will be brought to Regionals and covered under race costs. All others will be responsible for their own per race costs.

*** Also note that if you will not be attending a race you must let an officer know by Tuesday morning of the race week. Penalty for failing to do so will be a reimbursement of the $8 weekend race fee to the team (as well as any hotel costs if they are being split by the team).

1. Inclusion of all those individuals that enjoy skiing and want to be a part of the racing experience. Exclusion is not to be tolerated if at all possible.
2. To represent all racers able, at all races. Limitations set only as directed by the MCSA or USCSA.
3. To uphold the traditions of ski racing excellence.
4. To create an environment which is supportive to Student Athletes. To perpetuate itself with the ideal of improvement from one season to the next.
5. To generate a highly competitive atmosphere that will produce highly qualified racers to represent the Midwest conference at a national level and perform with a level of excellence that correctly demonstrates the quality of the race program upheld by MCSA.
6. To keep competition fun and exciting with the purpose of encouraging it's athletes to stay involved in the sport and athletics in general.
7. All members will strive to represent the best interests of the team and school.

1. If a member is found to be not representing these interests, they can be removed from the official roster, but only after all attempts to rectify the situation have been exhausted.
2. All changes to Bylaws and Mission statement must be first approved by the officers and then submitted twice to full membership for approval. Approval of bylaw changes requires a 75% majority of active members.
3. Active members are defined as those qualifying for the divisional race and/or members who have exemplified outstanding dedication to the team and it’s members.

Race Schedule '04-'05:

Please visit the MCSA website for the updated schedule.

Contact Information, Questions:
email:info@umdskiteam.com

Officers:
President: Kyle Goochey  (Senior)
Vice-Pres: Ashley Mitchell  (Junior)
Secretary: Jenna Bergin (Soph)
Treasurer: Charleen Balcer (Senior)