NORDIC SKIING 2007-2008 State Awardees

Click on Awardees names to read their nomination letter

Coach Of the Year Paula Anderson, Ely

Assistant Coach Of the Year Fred Kueffer, Roseville

Volunteer of the Year Steve & Alicia Deschene, Cook County

Coach of the Year - Paula Anderson - Ely

Each year the Nordic Ski Coaches Association selects an exemplar to honor for their work as a coach and ambassador for our sport. Paula Anderson has given of herself in ways that have not only provided success to the Ely High School ski team, but to the entire Minnesota high school skiing community.

Ely has one of the smallest student populations for schools with cross-country skiing, yet she continues to attract a team that makes up almost 10% of enrollment at the high school. The Ely ski team is a club team that is funded only from community supported fundraisers. Paula is involved with the yearly acquisition of funds to secure that another ski season will take place in Ely. She not only works to make sure the funds are developing, but that the skiers are developing as well by leading a summer workout program. Her ability to individualize the training for her athletes is a unique skill. I have observed her talking with athletes about their physical state and making adjustments to a workout program to best serve them. This is a manifestation of her commitment to the student athletes and the amount of time and effort she devotes to the sport. Both her boys and girls teams finished 2nd at the Section 7 ski meet. Seven individuals qualified for the state meet and all of those athletes are 10th grade or younger. This shows her ability to develop young athletes into well rounded skiers.

While Paula takes care of skiing matters in our community, she is also seeking to develop the presence of cross-country skiing within the Minnesota State High School League as our Coaches Association president. She makes the time to inform coaches of what is taking place around the state and acts on issues that concern us all.

When I reflect on the art of coaching and the complexities of athlete motivation, operational organization, technical knowledge, and group dynamics, Paula Anderson is the best model that I have had the pleasure to work with and know as a true friend.

Nominated by Todd Hohenstein - Ely Assistant Coach

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Assistant Coach of the Year - Fred Kueffer - Roseville

Fred Kueffer has been coaching at Roseville for 38 years. He has coached hundreds of kids that continue to ski recreationally and professionally with in the community, at a college level and even at the elite racing level. He has coached countless Conference Team and Section Team Championships, as well as many State Team Championships and hundreds of individual podium results. In addition, Fred has compiled the All-State Academic Awards for the past 12 years.

This year in particular Fred has been instrumental in the smooth transition between head coaches, the first head coaching change in the history of the program. He has maintained stability at practices, been reliable in making sure no detail has been missed logistically, has established permanence with parents and is someone the kids depend on to answer questions. He is the only coach at Roseville that works at the school; therefore he is able to answer questions throughout the day from students, parents, teachers and administrators.
Fred coaches because he loves being active, Nordic skiing, and he loves to teach. Each season Roseville has 50-90 skiers participating largely due to the relationships Fred has made with the students in class and in other sports. He often is the reason why some of the kids come out for skiing. Fred puts in countless dedicated hours, I often show up to the ski room to find everything out and ready to go for practices, races and ski trips. He treats every skier equally; spending time with everyone and showing concern for the development of each member of the team.
Fred Kueffer is an outstanding candidate for the Nordic Assistant Ski Coach of the Year award.
Nominated by Jamie Misner (Roseville)

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Volunteer of the Year - Steve & Alicia Deschene, Section 7

Steve and Alicia Deschene provide timing services for almost every section 7 and many section 8 ski meets. They only charge a small amount for mileage, supplies, and equipment upgrades, so that we can keep our meet entry fees low. Results at every meet are completed within minutes of the last skier crossing the finish line. Each coach receives a packet of results before or during the awards ceremony. Results are then posted on their website within hours of the race’s completion. What more can we say…Steve and Alicia bring our sport up to the next level and make our jobs as coaches easier. The skiers appreciate the work that they do and we all feel that we could not do without Steve and Alicia!!!

Link to Steve’s Website

Unanimously chosen by the section 7 coaches!!!

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