NORDIC SKIING 2008-2009 State Awardees

Click on Awardees names to read their nomination letter

Coach Of the Year Larry Meyers, Wayzata

Assistant Coach Of the Year Ben Croft, Mesabi East/Virginia

Volunteer of the Year Neil Igo, Duluth Marshall

Coach of the Year - Larry Myers - Wayzata High School

I would like to nominate Larry Myers for head coach of the year award.  Larry has been coaching Wayzata High School Nordic Ski Team for eleven years. Under his direction and motivation the program has grown from 40 kids to over 100 kids.  He cares deeply about the skiers on the team, learning the name of every skier on the team well within the first week of practice. The kids respect him and love him.  Larry has earned the nick name "Lare Bear", because he cares so much for them and teaches them to love skiing.

Larry is dedicated, last year Larry had a bad limp from problems with his hip, despite this trouble he never missed a day of practice and even continued to help with grooming. Larry is very generous with his equipment, anything that belongs to Larry (skis, boots, poles, ski suits, hats, jacket, etc.), also belongs to the team. 

Larry also gives of his time to the ski community.  He is active with the Minneapolis Ski Club, Gear West ski shop, City of Lakes Loppet, and Larry works as a licensed T.D for USSA races.

Many of Larry’s former skiers have continued in skiing long after graduating from high school.  Currently four of the assistant coaches at Wayzata are former Wayzata High School Nordic skiers.  Larry's dedication, love of the sport cross country skiing and his unflagging efforts for the Wayzata ski team, make Larry an excellent choice for Coach of the year.

 Nominated by:  Brad Erickson - Wayzata High School Assistant Coach.

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Assistant Coach of the Year - Ben Croft - Mesabi East/Virginia

My association with Ben Croft as a Mesabi East/Virginia assistant coach began in 1991 and has continued to the present day. Ben is the most caring and hard working coach you could ever find. Everyday during the ski season my day begins with a 7:20 am call from Ben. It may be about an athlete with whom he is concerned. It may be about the program for that days practice. It may be about what tracks he needs to set at Giant's Ridge for the day's practice. It may be about the weather and waxing for a coming meet. It may be about him having to dig in our equipment bags to provide different boots, skis or poles to help an athlete until they get there own equipment.

Whatever the call is about, it shows the concern Ben has for our kids and our program. I can't imagine coaching at Mesabi East/Virginia without Ben Croft at my side.  

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Volunteer of the Year - Neil Igo - Duluth

Every successful organization has key people who provide amazing support and energy.  On the Marshall Nordic Ski Team one such person is Neil Igo.  Neil is the Marshall Nordic Ski team mechanic, troubleshooter and special equipment designer / builder, logger and equipment operator.  From the wax trailer to the grooming equipment and everything in between, Neil has designed it, fixed it or enhanced its ability to serve the members of Marshall Nordic. Neil has played a huge part in every expansion of the Marshall School Ski Trails.  He is an expert equipment operator.  Neil is present at every Marshall Sprints race to make sure that if anything goes wrong, it will be fixed.  Neil continues to offer his talents to the Marshall School even though he no longer has children attending high school.   Neil is the father of Scott and Renee Igo, 2007 graduates of Marshall School.  We are very fortunate to have Neil Igo as a volunteer for the Marshall Nordic Ski Team

Nominated by: Dave Johnson Head Coach Marshall School, Duluth

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