Value of the Month: COMMITMENT
The Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club focuses on five core values that define the culture of the JHSC, and the character development fostered in the athletes. These values are not just words; rather, they drive decisions and actions in both sport and life at every level, from the leadership of the Club, to the coaches, to the parents, to the athletes, to how the Club is represented in the community. The five values of the Club are fun, commitment, teamwork, sportsmanship, and competition.
This season, each month will have a value-based theme. December’s Value of the Month is Commitment. A lot is asked of our student-athletes, our parents, our coaches and staff. Each individual’s commitment to their personal role, responsibilities, and goals strengthens not only each individual but the Club as a whole. We often say, “You will get out what you put in,” and understanding this value applies to all aspects of life. Commitment is about taking a holistic approach and paying attention to all the domains of training, academics, mental and physical fitness, and doing what it takes to be the best athlete, person, citizen, and Club possible. This incorporates JHSC’s long commitment to inclusion through increasing access to our programs for children in the community. Most importantly, this value represents the Club’s commitment to the overall safety and well-being of our athletes.
How is each program showing COMMITMENT this month?
Student-athletes are also showing commitment to their sport as they start utilizing the Early Release privilege allowed to them by our School Partners. Student-athletes show commitment to their sport by balancing all of their many responsibilities.
ALPINE
The Alpine Program has been anxiously awaiting the time when they can ski locally. Before Snow King opened, the FIS, U16, and U14 teams were traveling many miles to train in Colorado. During these long trips, student-athletes were committed to their academics by spending several hours each day in study hall after their on-snow and dryland training.
NORDIC
The Nordic program requires commitment and dedication from its athletes. Many of these student-athletes demonstrated commitment by attending the Thanksgiving camp in West Yellowstone, choosing to be with their team and train rather than be home for the holiday.
Some of the highest level athletes show commitment by training over 30 hours per week! They wake up early to check and record their heart rate, then record it again in the afternoon. At the end of the season, the Nordic Program awards three $1000 scholarships for athletes who show commitment starting with their summer training attendance and including completion of their training logs throughout the season. Below is a photo of one athlete's training log.
FREERIDE
The Freeride Program showed commitment to their partnership with the Alpenhof by stacking wood for the winter as a thank you to the business for being the home of the Program each winter. Addtionally, two athletes, Jack Kilmain and Taz McBride were honored for showing their commitment to dryland by having the best attendance.
Alumni Spotlight: Seppi Stiegler on COMMITMENT
1. This month’s value of the month is commitment. How has this Club value influenced your career?
The the club taught me the meaning of true commitment. I was fortunate enough to have coaches and mentors that helped me understand the correlation between effort and outcome. Commitment isn't about showing up, going through the motions, or achieving the minimum of what's asked. It's about aligning your effort with your goals. My commitment to student athletics could not be defined by anyone else. Commitment became a lifestyle for me. My entire thought process revolves around getting better in every aspect of life. When you really love something commitment becomes automatic and productivity soars. You find out that the process is the important part and the outcome is irrelevant.
2. What are some of your favorite memories from your time as a JHSC Athlete?
My favorite memories from being a JHSC Athlete are the people and my turns. The feeling of your skis generating snap is the most addicting thing out there. The rhythm and energy of good skiing is something you never forget. I remember the slalom turns from my first FIS race because the feeling gave me purpose in life. I also dearly remember my coaches. It is wild to think about how much influence those people had in my life. I didn't know it at the time, but today im greatful for everyone that played a part. Those people are my primary motivator for being the best coach I can be.
3. How has being an athlete at JHSC influenced your trajectory in life?
Being an athlete at JHSC influenced the trajectory of my life in a way that is still compounding today. Skiing is everything for me and I can't imagine life without it. Its my passion, work, history, and my community. There is no way to know what life would be like without the club, but it doesn't matter because I wouldn't change it.
4. What is a challenge you encountered during your career as an athlete, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I encountered during my career as an athlete was redefining my life from outcome oriented to process oriented. I'm not racing competitively anymore and I am still working on this. I'll be working on it forever which means maybe I'm starting to understand.
5. What’s one piece of advice you have for up and coming JHSC athletes?
If I have one piece of advice for upcoming JHSC athletes, it would be this. Find out what motivates you in life and makes you happy. If it gets you up in the morning, then it's probably worth the commitment. Your passion in life might not be skiing and that's ok, but what you learn here at the club will help you anywhere you want to go.
Bio: My passion is skiing! I am a Jackson Hole native and proud JH Ski & Snowboard Club Alumni. In 2011, I graduated from the University of Denver with three NCAA Championships and Academic All American honors. Those four whirlwind years balancing business school with GS and Slalom titles earned me a ticket to race as a member of the 2012 U.S. Ski Team. After my first World Cup appearance under the lights in Austria, it was on to Team America. Five seasons on the North American Cup, thirty FIS wins, and three years coaching at the JH Ski & Snowboard Club have blown by. I can't believe it. I want to share this passion and experience with you. Developing our local athletes into champions in life and sport is the next page in my book. The future is bright and I can’t wait to share it with you.
Personal Philosophy: The ski lifestyle runs deep in my family’s history and traditions. A love for snow, competition, and the outdoors fuels my passion. Champions in sport and life are grown, with hard work and dedication to personal achievement. My philosophy is to share my unique knowledge and passion for skiing in a way that balances the roles and responsibilities of an educator/coach. My aim is to promote fun, teamwork, commitment, sportsmanship, and competition in a creative and ethical fashion. Developing athletes into champions in life and sport is my mission. Planning, structure and creativity guide my coaching philosophy.
Sport Specific Background, Experience, & Roles:
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University of Denver - Team Captain & Student Athlete
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Team Captain of the most successful NCAA Ski Team. Earned individual NCAA and World University Games Champion Titles.
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U.S. Ski Team - Athlete
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US Alpine Championship Bronze Medalist in Slalom & Giant Slalom. World Cup skiing debut in Schladming Austria.
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Team America Foundation - Athlete
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North American Cup Silver & Bronze medalist. Continuation of World Cup level racing in Kranjska Gora Slovenia as an independent athlete.
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Jackson Hole Ski & Club
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FIS Coach, Strength & Conditioning Director, & Alumni 3 years.
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Crystal Mountain Alpine Club - FIS Coach 4 years.
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Erich Sailer Ski Racing Camps - Coach 9 years.
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Stiegler Ski Racing Camps - FIS Coach 3 years.
Education, Professional Degrees, & Certifications:
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University of Denver - B.S., Business Administration
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Management major, Economics minor. Academic All American. 4.0/4.0 GPA During competitive season.
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University of Denver - Pioneer & Managerial Award Recipient
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Recipient of the highest honors from both the University of Denver and the Daniels School of Business Management Department.
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US Ski & Snowboard Association
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Level 100
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Referee
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Jury Advisor
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Competition Official
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Alpine Coach
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