Utah Olympic Park Sport Club Park City Nordic Ski Club awarded 2015 USSA Club of the Year and 2015 Ski Jumping/Nordic Combined Club of the Year

Park City, Utah (May 20, 2015) – Utah Olympic Park Sport Clubs celebrates a week of exciting announcements. Park City Nordic Ski Club (PCNSC) was awarded 2015 USSA Club of the Year and 2015 Ski Jumping/Nordic Combined Club of the Year on Friday, May 15 at the annual USSA Club Excellence Conference Chairman’s Awards Dinner. During the same conference, FLY Freestyle and PCNSC also received Gold Club certification from the U. S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA). 

Of 430 ski and snowboard sport clubs across 30 states, PCNSC was selected as 2015 Club of the Year. USSA introduced the Club of the Year award in 1998 recognizing sport clubs for representing the vision, mission and core values of the USSA.

“This is a testament to the hard work of all the coaches, athletes, and families that are a part of PCNSC. We couldn’t be more pleased to receive such honors from the USSA,” said PCNSC Program Manager, Robert Lazzaroni. “We have some of the best coaches in the country in Nordic combined, ski jumping, and cross country skiing. They really deserve this recognition.”

PCNSC offers year around programs from age 7 and older, with a strong emphasis on “Sport for Life.” PCNSC has doubled the number of participants in its programs over the last two years.  PCNSC ranked 8^th at Junior Nationals this year and PCNSC XC girls team is ranked 2^nd nationally. PCNSC ski jumping and Nordic combined had 8 podiums (including 3 Junior National titles) at US Junior Nationals. Multiple PCNSC alumni represented the United States at the World Nordic Championship in 2015 including some members from the Women’s Ski Jumping team. In addition to the overall club award, PCNSC was also recognized as the 2015 Ski Jumping/Nordic Combined Club of the Year. In the recent past, Utah Olympic Park Sport Club’s FLY Freestyle Club received the Club of the Year award in 2012.

USSA also designated PCNSC and FLY Freestyle the Gold Club podium level certification, the highest level club designation available in this new club development program.  In its inaugural season, 10 ski and snowboard clubs were awarded either Gold or Silver level designations.

The podium level certification process involves a rigorous self-study and peer review of best principles and practices for ski and snowboard clubs. All Silver and Gold Club candidates participated in an on-site visit and review conducted by USSA High Performance staff and club consultants who are leaders in the ski and snowboard club world. The certification process not only recognizes club excellence, but also provides a clear roadmap for all clubs to become stronger organizations. This is a strategic part of USSA’s plans to support clubs, be a more club-based organization and better understand the challenges and opportunities that exist for clubs in every corner of the country.

“The podium certification process was not an easy one,” said Utah Olympic Park Sport Program Manager, Matt Terwillegar. “It required us to really evaluate every aspect of our sport club programs and doing so has helped us uncover opportunities and areas where we can continue to improve the club experience for our athletes, coaches, and community.”

PCNSC and FLY Freestyle offer summer programs for all ages. Information and registration is available online at UtahOlympicLegacy.org.

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About Utah Olympic Park

Built for the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games, Utah Olympic Park is located 28 miles east of Salt Lake City in Park City, Utah. Today, Utah Olympic Park is a vibrant multi-use facility focused on developing and growing winter sport participation in the state of Utah. Designated an Official U.S. Olympic Training Site by the United States Olympic Committee, the venue provides year-round competition and training facilities for Olympic and development level athletes. For the public, the venue features a variety of adventure activities including bobsled rides, zip lines, alpine slide, ropes courses as well as Olympic-heritage exhibits in the Alf Engen Ski Museum and Eccles 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum. For more information about the venue, please visit UtahOlympicLegacy.org or call 435-658-4200.

About Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation

Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation is a Utah non-profit 501(c)(3) organization responsible for managing and maintaining world-class facilities and providing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to participate and excel in winter sports. Inspired by the success and momentum of the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games, the Foundation has turned its focus toward embracing, engaging and involving Utah’s youth in winter sport. The Foundation supports national sport organizations and community recreational winter sport programs, as well as subsidizes the operation of two Olympic legacy venues – Utah Olympic Oval and Utah Olympic Park. For more information, please visit UtahOlympicLegacy.org or call 435-658-4200.