Sun Valley's Gary Black, who has dedicated 25 years of his life to the sport of ski racing, has been awarded the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) Julius Blegen award, the USSA announced in a May 19 press release.
The Blegen is presented annually to a USSA member who has contributed outstanding service to the sports of skiing or snowboarding in the U.S. It is the organization's highest volunteer award.
Black, publisher of Ski Racing Magazine, has always set aside his own interest to ensure the success of athletes and the sport. He has been an active U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team Foundation Trustee, a FIS committee member, a local club supporter, an athlete and a parent of a skier.
"I was both surprised and very honored to receive the Blegen award. It was something that I was aware of but never thought it would come my way," Black said.
A Maryland native who grew up with a passion for skiing, he blended his personal love for the sport with business in 1984 when he purchased Ski Racing. The magazine has become the most widely respected journal in the sport worldwide, the USSA said.
Black was also honored by the USSA as the 2003 recipient of the John Clair Award for service to the U.S. Ski Team and the 2005 Russell Wilder Award for contribution to youth. In addition to serving on the FIS PR & Mass Media Committee since 1988, he also sits on the FIS Alpine World Cup Subcommittee.
In 1997 he was named a trustee of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team Foundation where his service has included financial generosity and, even more, a guiding light for fellow trustees in helping them understand the sport.
Today, Black is enjoying the fruits of his labor as he watches his young daughter climb the ranks as a racer in the Sun Valley Ski Educational Foundation program.
Schowengerdt is honored
Steve Schowengerdt of Ketchum has been honored with the 2008 West Family Award, which recognizes an outstanding USSA certified alpine official for dedication to the sport. Schowengerdt is a longtime USSA Intermountain Division official.
Writer Robbins is acknowledged
The late Paul Robbins, a phenomenal writer who dedicated 30 years of his life to documenting the history of the accomplishments of USSA athletes, was the recipient of the 2008 USSA John J. Clair Jr. Award for outstanding service that benefits the U.S. Ski or Snowboard Teams.
Robbins passed away unexpectedly this February. From the moment he was introduced to the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team in 1978, Robbins became not just a devoted journalist but also a friend of the sport.
