University of Denver Ski Team

The University of Denver Ski Team is a collegiate team that has won a record 21 NCAA  Championships the first dating back to 1954.^[1] Under the direction of coach Willy Schaeffler, a member of the National Ski Hall of Fame, the Pioneers skied their way to 13 championships.^[2] Under Schaeffler's leadership, the University of Denver Ski Team "completely dominated intercollegiate skiing" in the United States for two decades. ^[3] Schaeffler's "passion for preparedness" and tough training regimen yielded "remarkable" success in competition.^[4]

The program was absent from 1984–1992, but surged back onto the national scene winning seven of the first 11 NCAA Championships this century. The Alpine team currently practices less than 70 miles away from campus at Winter Park Resort. The Nordic team calls Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort  home, only 78 miles from the university.^[5]

National championships

The Pioneers won their 21st team championships in 2010, the most by any ski team in NCAA history.^[7]Coloradois second with 17 titles, and Utahis third with 10.^[8]The 21 ski titles are tied with Yalemen’s golf for the fourth most NCAA Division I titles among any team in any sport.^[9]Oklahoma Statewrestling holds the most national titles with 34,^[10]followed by Southern Cal., men’s outdoor track and field (26)^[11]and Iowawrestling (23).^[12]

Individual National Champions

The Pioneers have produced 79 NCAA individual champions,^[13] including three in 2011.^[14][15]

Colors =Men, Women

Olympic athletes

The University of Denver have sent skiers to the Winter Olympics. The first games that DU was represented in were the 1948 games in St. Moriwitz, Switzerland. Recently the Pioneers have sent athletes to the Nagano Games^[16]  and the Vancouver Games.^[17] Overall DU has sent over 50 athletes and coaches to represent their countries in the Olympics.^[18]

References