NYSEF hires new head alpine coach

The New York Ski Educational Foundation (NYSEF) has announced the appointment of Patrick Purcell to the role of head alpine coach at Whiteface Mountain. Purcell returns to the Adirondacks, where his ski coaching career first began.

Purcell, originally from Goshen, N.Y., grew up skiing at Holiday Mountain in Monticello, N.Y. He has served in a vast number of different positions throughout his coaching career, ranging from grassroots programs to coaching at the international level.

After beginning his career at NYSEF and Northwood School, Purcell went on to serve as head coach at Burke Mountain Academy until he was called up to the coach with the national team. He worked with both the U.S. Ski Team and the Canadian National Team at the Europa Cup level before returning to the junior level, serving as head women’s coach at the Stratton Mountain School — a position he held for several years. He also was the head women’s coach at Dartmouth College.

In 2006, Purcell decided to move his family west, where he was head alpine coach at both the Park City Ski Team and Rowmark Ski Academy in Utah. In 2013, Purcell joined Team Duke USA to privately coach U.S. Ski Team member Hailey Duke. After nine years in the West, he decided that it was time to head back East, closer to home. Most recently, Purcell has worked as U16 Alpine Coach at the Green Mountain Valley School where he and his wife also served as dorm parents.

Purcell is excited to get settled in Lake Placid.

“Returning to NYSEF culminates a 37-year journey back to where it all began,” stated Purcell. “I love the Adirondack Mountains and, more specifically, Whiteface Mountain. It’s rugged beauty makes for a perfect setting to nurture all aspiring ski racers. It’s an ideal teacher, offering a variety of terrain and the mountain does the talking”.

On the subject of joining the team at NYSEF, Purcell “couldn’t be any happier. I am honored to serve the staff, parents and, most of all, the highly-motivated athletes.”

NYSEF Executive Director John Norton is quite pleased with the addition of Purcell.

“We are very fortunate to have Patrick joining our team and moving back to his roots. Patrick is extremely passionate about ski racing as well as living an active life in the outdoors here in the Adirondacks. Patrick’s experience at various levels of alpine ski racing make him a great fit for the job.”

“Patrick Purcell’s hiring as Head Coach at NYSEF is an indication that our program continues to be committed to excellence in the development of junior skiers,” remarked Northwood’s newly appointed Alpine Program Director Terry DelliQuadri. “It will be great working with him in the years to come.”

Purcell, a USSA level 500 coach, moves back to the Adirondacks with his wife, Liz, and two children, Charlie and Carolyn. He will be working primarily with the U16 age group, but will also be heavily involved in the programming at all levels of alpine racing at NYSEF.

Release courtesy of the New York Ski Educational Foundation (NYSEF)