Correct version of Issue 15 USCSA letter

By Published On: April 21st, 2005Comments Off on Correct version of Issue 15 USCSA letter

Correct version of Issue 15 USCSA letter{mosimage}In Issue 15 of the print magazine, editing errors contributed to factual mistakes in Paul Rozsypal’s letter to the editor about USCSA Nationals. Here is the letter in its entirety.

Not many in this industry would argue that ski racing is such a vast sport that certain individuals or programs should be eliminated from competition for political reasons. But that’s exactly what happened this March, when the USCSA conducted their National Championships. Once again, three worthy alpine programs were shut out from the event.

In 1999, a newly established USCSA Division II program emerged at the University of Colorado, alongside their NCAA Varsity team. This new program competed successfully in its first season with USCSA, qualified for Nationals, and finished amongst the top teams.

In the spring of 2000, the USCSA Board of Directors decided that the secondary programs at CU, along with similar teams at the University of Denver and Montana State University, would be banned from competing at USCSA Nationals.

Why? These schools already have an NCAA program, and some USCSA board members felt that superior performances by secondary teams would sully the reputation of the national organization, and could hinder potential sponsorship opportunities.

The only way the USCSA will allow these schools to compete nationally is if their Varsity NCAA programs came along, which is impossible due to scheduling conflicts.

Allowing schools with secondary teams to compete at the USCSA Nationals would only bring in better points, strengthen the level of competition, and maintain a level playing field, which embodies USCSA’s mission statement: ‘To promote and increase awareness of and participation in alpine skiing, cross country skiing and snowboarding in the U.S.’

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About the Author: Pete Rugh