The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation has been honored
again by the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, governing body for snow sports in this
country.
The SVSEF, founded in 1969, observed its 30th anniversary by being
named "Club of the Year" by the USSA.
Now the SVSEF has also been nominated by the USSA for the 1999 U.S.
Olympic Committee’s Rings of Gold Award.
In its statement, the USSA said it "recognizes and commends the
continuing efforts of the SVSEF in nurturing and developing Olympic dreams and life goals
of children."
Sun Valley, through the efforts of the SVSEF, takes great pride in its
strong tradition of producing Winter Olympians like Picabo Street, Christin Cooper, Pete
and Susie Patterson and Sondra Van Ert.
The SVSEF mission is:
"To provide a program where young athletes develop a love for
their sport while acquiring the technical expertise. The concentration, motivation and
discipline that comes with these sports provide lifelong skills applicable to any
endeavor."
In pursuit of that mission, the SVSEF provides training programs from
the grassroots level to the world-class level in the sports of alpine skiing, freestyle
skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding.
The staff of 57 professional coaches—18 of whom are SVSEF
graduates—gives quality training programs for the 400 participants on world-class
training venues at the Sun Valley resort.
In addition, the SVSEF produces over 10 sanctioned USSA events annually
for all levels of athletes in ski and snowboard sports. The club also offers a community
"learn to ski program," through the local school system that introduces kids to
winter sports.
Through the contributions of many local businesses, the SVSEF has a
scholarship program to assist developing athletes with training and competition expenses.
And the SVSEF, in support of developing athletes, will introduce an
academic tutoring program this winter season.
