strong minds Annual Report 2014-2015 strong bodies svsef.org strong futures Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Who we are Fifty years strong, Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF) is a cornerstone institution in our community that exemplifies the Wood River Valley traditions of excellence, good sportsmanship and mountain adventure. Team members acquire the tools for success, not only in their winter sport but also in the pursuit of their ultimate goals and dreams. Our athletes and their families enrich our community and fortify both the economic sustainability and cultural vitality of our valley. SVSEF Vision To create the BEST junior snowsports development program in the nation. SVSEF Mission To provide exceptional snowsport programs for the youth of the Wood River Valley thereby enabling each participant to reach his/her athletic potential, while developing strong personal character through good sportsmanship, strong values, and individual goals. SVSEF Values Sportsmanship, Citizenship, Character, Teamwork, Creativity, Passion, Perseverance. LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Rob Clayton Looking back on the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation’s 2014-15 year there is much to be proud of. Thank you to the whole SVSEF family for contributing to the development and relevance of the Foundation. SVSEF continues to increase the significance of its footprint in the Wood River Valley. We are a cornerstone organization that continues to engage and serve a large number of the Valley’s youth and their families. Through the generosity of this great community, SVSEF had its most successful fundraising year ever. The understanding and belief in what SVSEF provides for the youth of this community was validated by the gifting we experienced in 2014-15. Such generosity enables SVSEF to provide programming for 533 athletes of all ages. We had athletes competing in events all the way from the Kindercup at Dollar Mountain to the 2015 World Championships held in Vail, Colorado, Falun Sweden and Kreischberg, Austria. Our athletes represented SVSEF and our community with strength and pride at every championship level. There is a strong sense of momentum that points to a bright future for SVSEF. The key element that embodies our athlete’s success is the work ethic they demonstrate. Our coaches and athletes across all programs work incredibly hard to achieve their goals. They are out on the mountain or trails before the sun is up and continue each day well into the night. This type of determination will carry over into each and every athlete’s future whether it’s on or off the mountain.This is the greatest gift we can bestow upon them so that they will be positioned to lead purposeful lives long after their days with the SVSEF are over. Having completed my second year as Executive Director, I am truly humbled by the impact we have on our community. SVSEF represents the passion for snowsports that this community was built on. We take our mission seriously and are determined to provide each athlete on our team with every possible opportunity to make their dreams a reality. We are counting on your continued support in this effort. Rob Clayton Executive Director LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Jennifer Milgard I want to start off by thanking everyone associated with the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation. I have been with this organization for the past 10 years and admire all the people that give their time and love to this sport. I moved to this wonderful valley so that my daughters could be a part of this organization. Over the past six years I have served on SVSEF’s Board of Directors and am sad to say this was my last year. During this time I have seen many amazing changes—hiring a new executive director, building a new facility, getting the Olympic training designation, starting the Air Barn and so much more. This organization has come a long way in the past 10 years. Our collaboration with Sun Valley Company and all the schools of the Wood River Valley couldn’t be stronger. Rob Clayton, our executive director, has made an amazing impact on the organization in his first two years. He is tireless in his efforts to make this the best snowsports club in the country. I know he is on his way to achieving this and look forward to watching him in the years to come. Thank you, Rob! I am so pleased with all this organization is doing for the Wood River Valley. As board members, we all hope to leave this organization better than we found it. I can honestly say that I have definitely seen this happen. Thank you to everyone involved!!! Thank you, Jennifer Milgard President, Board of Directors Annual Report 2014-2015 5 2014–2015 Board of Directors Jennifer Milgard, President Tim Hamilton, Vice President We are Sam Adicoff,Treasurer Muffy Ritz, Secretary Kelly Allison Brick Blackburn Sun Valley Jim DeWolfe Charlie Dunn Brian Elkins Ski Education Tom Griffith Nick Maricich Hank Minor Kipp Nelson foundation 2014–2015 Administrative Staff Rob Clayton, Executive Director Zach Crist, Director of Development Mimi Crocker, Director of Operations Matt Leidecker, Academic Program Director Kelly Roberts, Director of Customer Relations Jody Zarkos, Director of Events and Communications Emmi Buck, Events Assistant RUBEN MACAYA RETIRES We are fortunate to have known Ruben for more than half our lives. He is one of the most enthusiastic and passionate people we know in the ski racing community. Seeing a kid light up when they finally understand a concept being taught to them is one of his favorite moments. He always brings a positive twist out of any situation—good or bad. Ruben’s happy attitude in life is infectious and our family is grateful for having such a good friend like him. SVSEF is lucky to have such a great guy associated with their organization and he will be missed. We wish him a great retirement and know he will enjoy some free time! Adele and Pat Savaria Alpine Coaches 6 Annual Report 2014-2015 Our coaches Alpine Coaches Chance Larkin Scott McGrew, Program Director & Head Coach, U16 Penelope Murray Erika Hogan, Head Coach, FIS Women Jeff Page Tor Jensen, Head Coach, U12 Travel Cord Roth Phil McNichol, Technical Director Mike Sheehan Brett Morris, Head Coach, U14 Mike Smit Pat Savaria, Head Coach, FIS Team Reed Snyderman Nate Schwing, Head Coach, FIS Men Josh Zuck Rob Webb, Conditioning Coach Michel Rudigoz, SVSEF Icon Cross Country Coaches Brian Ros, Timing Rick Kapala, Program Director Danny Albright Dave Bingham, Head Coach, Devo Riley Berman Steve Kirk, Bus Driver Eltiena Campbell Ashley Knox, Head Coach, Comp Bill Campbell Nate Scales, Trail Grooming Willi Cannell Kelley Sinnott, Assistant Program Director Cole Caulkins & Head Coach, Prep Tyler Chandler Morgan Arritola Harlan Collins Tim Baucom Ryan Dean Krista Clayton Sophia DeWolfe Bob Coplin Jeff Enos Svea Grover Conner Farrow Brooke Hovey Isa Floden Deedra Irwin Charlotte Gourlay Laurie Leman Brett Jacobson Rob Landis Ben Kanellitsas Paddy McIlvoy Ruben Macaya Kristin Monahan Skip Merrick Jon Paris Nicholson Chase Millemann Lexie Praggastis Matt Murphy Julia Seyferth Wes Powell Michael Sinnott Christopher Nalen Thomas Smith Pat Revallier Biche Rudigoz Snowboard Coaches KJ Savaria Andy Ware, Program Director Adele Savaria Heather Black Sarah Schwing Nate Farrell Steve Smart Jon French Hunter Storey Andy Gilbert Lauren Street JaNessa Gilbert Galen Webster Patrick Hurley Jim Slanetz Freestyle/Freeskiing Coaches Cory Smith Andy Ware, Program Director Alden Carter Alpine Gold Coaches Collin Collins Dane Spencer, Alpine Head Coach Shane Cordeau Neil Lande, Alpine Technician Joey Cordeau Brandon Doan Cross Country Gold Coaches William Falcone Colin Rodgers, Cross Country Head Coach Tim Baucom, Cross Country Assistant Head Coach Annual Report 2014-2015 7 Our History (from grass roots) In 1966 members of the Sun Valley Ski Club created SVSEF to provide youth in the Wood River Valley an opportunity to ski on a junior racing team. These visionaries were inspired by Sun Valley’s deep tradition of excellence, which includes Gretchen Fraser, America’s first Olympic Champion in skiing in 1948. Our founders believed – as we do today – the pursuit of excellence in skiing empowers our youth, preparing them for healthy and productive adult lives. Since its inception, SVSEF has helped numerous young athletes achieve their dreams of becoming champions. Many thousands more have learned the attributes for success through their participation at SVSEF. 1992 1997 1982 Snowboard First Program started Annual Bill 1972 Lake Creek Janss Pro- Cross Property donated Fall, 1969 SVSEF enrollment Am-Classic Early 1960’s First SVSEF Country to SVSEF by over 200 Junior Alpine Game Dinner Program Warren Shillington Racing Program started started by Sun Valley Ski Club 1993 1985 1990 Acquired Phase I Acquired Phase II Christin Cooper Fall, 1976 of Engl Training of Engl Training wins olympic 1971 First Annual Center Center April 17, 1966 96 Racers in Fall Game Silver medal in Women’s Sun Valley the SVSEF; Dinner Freestyle Picabo Street giant slalom at Ski Education six were Program captures Olympic Sarajevo Foundation named to started Silver medal in incorporated the U.S. Ski women’s downhill Team Acquired at Lillehammer, Alpine Hut Norway Original Alpine Ski Hut ENgl Training Center 8 Annual Report 2014-2015 2013 2015 SVSEF named SVSEF named the 2011 USSA “Club first and only US of the Year” Olympic/Paralympic Olympic and USSA training site for all Development Snowboarding five designations 2000 Team “Club of the Budget renamed Year”