BMA announces new coaches and updated infrastructure

In preparation for next ski season, Burke Mountain Academy (BMA) announced the hiring of JP Daigneault as head men’s FIS coach. Daigneault most recently has been the program director at the Northwood School, and prior to that held high-level coaching roles at GMVS, and both the BC and Quebec Provincial teams in Canada. Daigneault also brings a perspective from an athletic career of his own having attended and graduated from GMVS, skied for the Canadian National Team at World Juniors, and as a Dartmouth Ski Team captain and four-time NCAA All-American.

“Expectations for BMA racers are high, and they should be,” said Daigneault. “Burke is a ‘no-excuses’ ski racing academy, and everything is in place to provide the right opportunities for success. I look forward to working with the crew of ski racing professionals at BMA, doing everything possible to help the kids reach their full potential, and make BMA athletes and alums alike even more proud of their school.”

Brad Wall, BMA alumnus and incoming athletic program director, added “I am very excited to bring JP to BMA as head men’s coach. His track record in adolescent athletic development over the years is proven, and his passion and energy will have a profound impact on our community. His drive, determination and relentless pursuit of excellence put him in good stead to lead the BMA men’s program. I am looking forward to working closely with JP as we build on the excellent foundations already laid.”

In addition to Daigneault’s appointment, BMA announced the addition of former U.S. Ski Team and USSA Eastern Region coach Kyle Darling to the women’s FIS program. As a Europa Cup and World Cup coach Darling was a contributing coach for BMA alumnus and two-time Olympian Nolan Kasper among others. His recent experience as USSA Eastern Region Development Coach enabled him to work with top men’s and women’s athletes throughout the East.

Wall also noted that “maintaining our competitive position as a top-level alpine program requires that we continually enhance our coaching ranks with people that have recent experience at a high level of skiing. Kyle brings a wealth of these qualities to BMA.”

Tomas Karlsson, alpine program director for the past two seasons, announced that he has decided to return to his native Sweden at the end of the 2017 school year. His current duties are to be assumed by Wall for the next season.

“TK is a life-long ‘Burkie’ and will always be an important part of the BMA community,” noted Wall. “He has an outstanding legacy at Burke that we are all eager to help build on for the future.”

In related activity, BMA announced the opening of the Shelley Glover Tech Center. The new facility will a house state-of-the-art ski tuning space and a modern bootfitting lab. The centerpiece of the newly refurbished building is a Montana dual feed Saphir stone-grinding machine. BMA will offer World Cup-level ski preparation and equipment set-up services for BMA athletes on site for the 2018 season. In addition to the new equipment, the building has been outfitted with 65 storage lockers for athletes’ skis and their tuning equipment and 18 newly constructed tuning stations. Equipment is an identified node on the BMA High Performance Model, and a commitment of this level was needed to deliver this important initiative.

Shelley Glover, BMA alumna and U.S. Ski Team athlete, was tragically killed in a training accident at Mt. Bachelor, Ore. in May 2004. The construction of the tech center is a wonderful way to continue the legacy of this vibrant and talented young woman.

Release from Burke Mountain Academy