Cardigan Mountain School Names Julia Ford as Director of Alpine Skiing

By Published On: July 23rd, 2018Comments Off on Cardigan Mountain School Names Julia Ford as Director of Alpine Skiing

Cardigan Mountain School, a junior boarding school for boys in grades 6—9 in Canaan, New Hampshire, announced today the appointment of Julia Ford to Assistant Athletic Director and Director of Alpine Skiing.

“We are so thrilled to welcome Julia to Cardigan,” Cardigan’s Head of School, Christopher Day, shared. “Not only is she a world-class athlete, but she is also a tremendous person. I know she will have a positive impact on our students, our athletic programming, and our ski team in particular.”

Prior to Cardigan, Ford, from Holderness, New Hampshire, was a member of the U.S. Ski Team and competed at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. She has started in over 40 FIS World Cup races and is a two-time U.S. National Downhill Champion. While still competing, she completed GroundSwell Institute‘s business building program focused on strategy, organizational development, and financial management by working directly with a number of business owners. Ford was able to secure this position using her athletic and Groundswell experience in lieu of a traditional college education.

“Julia successfully utilized our remote, live video and recorded class format while racing at the elite NorAm level,” said Groundswell Athletics Program Director, Cody Marshall. “While still racing full-time, she completed GroundSwell Institute’s business building program focused on strategy, organizational development and financial management by working directly with a number of business owners. Julia has been an ideal student-athlete and we know she will do a great job at Cardigan Mountain School where she will be able to leverage the skills that we have helped her develop at GroundSwell Institute.”

Ford’s appointment marks a strategic shift in Cardigan’s Alpine Skiing Program. Working with Head Coach Travis Nevins, Ford will help recruit committed alpine competitors, elevate training strategies, and build a program that competes with the best in the United States and prepares boys— both academically and athletically—for the next step.

“Cardigan’s perfect location, excellent facilities, and supportive community offer an amazing opportunity for junior skiers,” said Ford, who is also looking forward to coaching soccer at the school. “They’ll train full-time during the winter and play other sports in fall and spring. I can’t wait to get started.”

“We can provide student-athletes a balance that promotes skill development in skiing, but doesn’t compromise academic development or opportunities to participate in other activities,” added Day.

“Cardigan has had a successful ski program for a long time, but we’ve always understood we had the tools to build it into something special,” Ryan Frost, Cardigan’s Director of Athletics, says. “It is exciting to realize that time is here.”

Cardigan Alpine Skiing competes in U.S. Ski & Snowboard, New Hampshire Alpine Racing Association (NHARA) and New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) events.

Release courtesy of Cardigan Mountain School.

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