U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Announces the Incoming Class of 2017

[Philpug]

For Immediate Release

[Olympic Valley, Calif.] Sept. 19, 2017 – A star-studded group of 8 noted skiing athletes and sport builders have been announced as inductees to the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017. They will be formally inducted next April in Olympic Valley, CA, site of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games.

On April 12-15, 2018, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows will celebrate ski and snowboard history as it welcomes the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame to honor its class of 2017. The event will honor athletes and sport builders with lifelong national and international achievements in the sport. Squaw Valley will provide a fitting backdrop for the various events, with the legacy of the 1960 Winter Games and the long lineage of celebrated athletes, including more current U.S. Ski Team members than any other resort in the country.

This year’s Class of 2017 Inductees was announced at Hall of Fame the in the Upper Peninsula town of Ishpeming Michigan on Friday, September 15, 2017. More details and tickets for the April, 14, 2018 induction will be available at SnowsportHistory.com in October.

Among the inductees are freestyle icon “Airborne” Eddie Ferguson, freestyle’s somersault king Hermann Gollner and legendary cross-country coach Marty Hall. Also joining the class are two of the most accomplished ski mountaineers alive - twin brothers Mike and Steve Marolt, along with the late, 130 mph world record holder in alpine speed skiing, Steve McKinnney. Rounding out the Class of 2017 is the local motor sport and snowboard pioneer Shaun Palmer, and Thom Weisel a passionate fund raiser for the U.S. Ski Team whose work over four decades helped to bring home more than 200 Olympic and World Championship medals.

A national voting panel selects the incoming class in the fall of each year. The class of 2017 will be inducted and honored in Olympic Valley, CA, on April 14, 2018 and enshrined the following September at the Hall of Fame in Ishpeming, MI where in 1905 the National Ski Association of America (now U.S. Ski & Snowboard) was formed.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The announcement of the 8 members of the incoming class of 2017 was made on Friday, September 15th in Ishpeming, MI.
• Eight people have been elected to the Hall of Fame this year. They are: Ed Ferguson, Hermann Gollner, Mary Hall, Mike and Steve Marolt, Steve McKinney, Shaun Palmer and Thom Weisel.
• The new inductees will bring the total to 435 Honored Members in the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.
• Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows has been selected as the resort site of the 2018 induction ceremony of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and the Snowsport History Celebration.
• The Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame induction will take place at The Resort at Squaw Creek in the Grand Sierra Ballroom on Saturday, April 14, 2018.
• The induction will be the culmination of four days of activities at the Village at Squaw Valley during the April 12-15 Snowsport History Celebration which attracts hundreds of skiing history enthusiasts and recreational skiers.
• The induction is expected to sell out, with a field of skiing and snowboarding greats. More than 500 are expected to attend the installation of the class of 2017’s 8 inductees.
• The nomination process is open to all, with detailed information available at www.skihall.com.
• Nominees are screened by a Hall of Fame Selection Committee before being listed on a ballot. More than 250 members of the Hall of Fame National Voting Panel elect the newest Honored Members.
• Ishpeming is the birthplace of organized skiing in America and the site of the founding of the National Ski Association of America in 1905, now the U.S. Ski & Snowboard.
• A formal enshrinement ceremony is held each September in Ishpeming, MI, where the Museum is located.
• The induction ceremony rotates venue locations to major resorts, including Stowe in 2017, Aspen in 2016, Steamboat in 2015 and Park City in 2014.
• The Village at Squaw Valley and The Resort and Squaw Creek will offer special lodging rates to all ticket purchasers.
• $75 lift tickets will be available to all Snowsport History Celebration and induction ticket holders.
• Info and tickets will be available in October at www.SnowsportHistory.com

QUOTES
Tom Kelly, Chairman, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame
“Each year we are again amazed by the stories of those sport builders and athletes who have made our sport what it is today. Honoring these inductees in the shadows of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games venues in Squaw Valley is a fitting recognition for the Class of 2017. “

Andy Wirth, President & COO, Squaw Valley Ski Holdings, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows
“Since Wayne Poulsen founded Squaw Valley in the 1940's, it has been known worldwide as a spectacular mountain and through the generations, produced a great many legends of our industry and sport. It is a tremendous honor to host this prestigious event here at Squaw Valley to honors legends from across the country. Last season we skied well into July… we will make sure the skiing is beyond epic during this year's Hall of Fame event! “

@Justin Koski , Executive Director, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame
“Each member of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017 is a remarkable leader as an athlete or sport builder. We are excited to welcome them into our family of snowsport legends and present them with our sports highest honor. “

The mission of the U. S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame is to honor athletes and sport builders for their lifelong national and international achievements in the sport. The National Ski Association of America, now known as USSA, was established in 1905 in Ishpeming, MI, the birthplace of organized skiing in the United States. The Hall of Fame Museum, established in 1954, is located on the Hall of Fame campus in Ishpeming.

PAST INDUCTION/SKIING HISTORY WEEK SITES
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame has been honoring athletes and sport builders annually since 1956. Since 2009, the induction has been held at major resorts nationwide with an enshrinement at the Hall of Fame in Ishpheming, MI in September.

2017 – Stowe, VT
2016 – Aspen, CO
2015 – Steamboat Springs, CO
2014 – Park City, UT
2013 – Vail, CO
2012 – Seattle, WA
2011 – Sun Valley, ID
2010 – Beaver Creek, CO
2009 – Deer Valley Resort, Park City, UT
2007 - Snowsports Industries America, Las Vegas, NV
2007 - Snowsports Industries America, Las Vegas, NV

About Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows
Voted ‘Best Ski Resort’ in North America for the second year in a row by USA Today and 10Best Readers’ Choice 2017, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows is an internationally renowned mountain resort in North Lake Tahoe that spans over 6,000 skiable acres. The resort features slopeside lodging at The Village at Squaw Valley®, which bustles year round with nonstop events and over 50 bars, restaurants and boutiques. With an annual average of 450 inches of snowfall and 300 sunny days, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows is known as the Spring Skiing Capital™ as it provides one of the longest ski and snowboard seasons in Lake Tahoe. Skiers and riders of all ability levels are welcomed by over 65 percent beginner and intermediate terrain, 14 easy-to-navigate mountain zones and a custom app to make the most of every visit. Visit squawalpine.com or call 1.800.403.0206 to learn more.


Media Contact:
Stacey Wooley
719.362.6038 or [email protected]

 

[Philpug]

As in years past, we look forward to covering the event and continuing our partnership with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame.

 

[Tricia]

As always, I'm excited to attend the Hall of Fame week, but this year is special because Hermann Gollner has a special place in my heart.
He's been a bigger influence than most realize, even those who are close to him may not realize just how big he is.

 

[Muleski]

Referring to Hermann Gollner as "freestyle's somersault king" pretty much is doing A LEGEND a bit of a disservice. He also happens to be a true legend as an alpine ski coach. Many of this country's best athletes think that Hermann was their best coach ever, and he is a close friend and mentor to so many of them decades later.

He was also a world class climber, and still can climb most anything at age 72-73. The guy is a physical specimen.

This might article be interesting. It just touches the surface. As I said. Legend. Very glad to see that he will be honored.

https://www.skiracing.com/premium/racer-next-hermannator-i-the-original

 

[Tricia]

Referring to Hermann Gollner as "freestyle's somersault king" pretty much is doing A LEGEND a bit of a disservice. He also happens to be a true legend as an alpine ski coach. Many of this country's best athletes thing that Hermann was their best coach ever, and he is a close friend and mentor to so many of them decades later.

He was also a world class climber, and still can climb most anything at age 72-73. The guy is a physical specimen.

This might article be interesting. It just touches the surface. As I said. Legend. Very glad to see that he will be honored.

https://www.skiracing.com/premium/racer-next-hermannator-i-the-original

Funny you should say that.
My personal story of Hermann -
I had just moved to Tahoe from Michigan, which was a big adjustment for me, and Hermann struck up a conversation with me on one of his many trips to Start Haus. I don't think he knew that I was having a particularly bad day, or that his cheerful smile and kind words meant so much to me, but I couldn't help but hug him and say "thank you for making me smile".
That year I worked at Start Haus I loved it every time Hermann came into the store.
I had gotten to know him as a highly revered race coach.
FF>> 5 years: I was attending the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame ceremonies at Aspen where Herman appeared with a group of freestylers that were being inducted. Genia Fuller leaned over to me and said, "Oh My God. Hermann Gollner is here! He is my idol! I did what I did because of him."
I said, "Hermann the race coach?"
She went on to tell me about his influence in freestyle. I had no idea!
My life is richer for having known him.

I also have friends in the climbing world who didn't know he had such a rich history in skiing, because they know him from his climbing fame. Heck, he drove from Tahoe to Aspen because he planned on stopping by to do a few casual climbs in Rifel on his way home, because he was going to have a knee replacement in a few months and didn't know when he'd be able to climb again.
http://www.rockandice.com/articles/tnb/run-rabbit-hermann-gollner-71-cranks-pump-o-rama-5-13a

@kimmyt @RachelV have you heard of him?

 

[Tricia]

Another video tribute to Hermann

 

[DanoT]

As always, I'm excited to attend the Hall of Fame week, but this year is special because Hermann Gollner has a special place in my heart.
He's been a bigger influence than most realize, even those who are close to him may not realize just how big he is.

The above video really brought back some great memories for me . I remember both of those Hart Skis sponsored movies "The Magic Skis" IIRC the main character couldn't ski until he put on the magic skis and then the skis took over, kinda like a Herby the Love Bug thing and "Ski the Outer Limit" had some trippy special effects with filters and other stuff that are kinda hard to remember after 50 years and of course great skiing.

The part with "Hot Rod" Eddie Lincoln brought back memories of when he competed in 1975 at the Labatt's-Datsun Freestyle Championship at Tod Mountain (now called Sun Peaks). I didn't actually meet Eddie but I do remember that before each of his runs they played a few bars on the P.A. of "You gonna drive me to drinkin' if you don't stop racing that Hot Rod Lincoln". Eddie won the aerials and first place overall went to John Eaves who got to drive away in a 1975 Datsun 240Z. John Eaves (from Quebec) went on to become a skiing stunt double for James Bond.

Edit: I just remembered, I was a liftie that weekend and that is when I got the "Dano" nickname as in "Book 'em, Dano" from the old Hawaii 5-0 TV series....

 

[Tricia]

^^^ this is what Hall of Fame is about.
Who influenced your skiing?
How many of use ski as a career because of the inspiration of these people?

 

[kimmyt]

@kimmyt @RachelV have you heard of him?

I haven't actually heard of him! I'm more familiar with the historical climbers from the east coast. It seems like he put up a lot at Rifle, which says plenty about him as a climber. For those that haven't been, Rifle is what I would call a 'hardman' crag. Lots of hard overhung sport routes. I visited a friend who lives there a while ago and there was barely anything I could even get up!

 

[Tricia]

I haven't actually heard of him! I'm more familiar with the historical climbers from the east coast. It seems like he put up a lot at Rifle, which says plenty about him as a climber. For those that haven't been, Rifle is what I would call a 'hardman' crag. Lots of hard overhung sport routes. I visited a friend who lives there a while ago and there was barely anything I could even get up!

Here are some more pics of his climbing.
He was 73 in this picture.

 

[4ster]

Hermann Gollner goes without saying, definitely a legend. I have friends who had him as a coach back in the late 60's or early 70's during his Red Lodge summer race camps & they couldn't stop talking about him decades later!

I am very happy to see Stevie McKinney inducted as he is a personal influence & favorite of mine. Gone way too soon, RIP . Not only was he the first to break 200kmph in speed skiing, to me he was the father of "extreme skiing" long before anyone coined the term. His exploits & contributions are far too vast to mention here! Oh, & his little sis is no slouch either.