COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (July 30, 2015) – The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has recognized U.S. Freeskiing slopestyle coach Skogen Sprang (Park City, UT) as 2014 National Coach of the Year. Sprang was chosen from three national finalists by a panel of coaching and sport education professionals. It is the sixth time a U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) coach has won the award.
In his second season as the U.S. slopestyle skiing head coach, Sprang led U.S. Freeskiing athletes to four Olympic medals at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, highlighted by a historic sweep of the men’s podium – only the third by a U.S. team in Olympic Winter Games history. Under Sprang’s direction, the men’s team of Joss Christensen (Park City, UT), Gus Kenworthy (Telluride, CO) and Nick Goepper (Lawrenceburg, IN), along with women’s slopestyle skier Devin Logan, combined to earn four of Team USA’s nine medals in the new Olympic events that debuted in Sochi.
"It is such an amazing honor to receive this award from the USOC,” said Sprang. “I couldn’t be more proud of the unique, hard working and determined group of men and women that I have the privilege to coach. They have stepped up time and time again pushing the limits of progression at the most elite level to make history for the sport of slopestyle skiing.”
Sprang and Christensen celebrate Sprang's award.
The 2015 post-Olympic season was extremely successful for Sprang and the slopestyle skiing team as well, with athletes bringing home three X Games medals, a World Championship medal and two Association of Freestyle Professionals (AFP) world titles. The season was highlighted by yet another U.S podium sweep at the Park City Grand Prix, led by hometown hero Christensen with teammates Kenworthy and McRae Williams (Park City, UT).
The USOC recognized a total of five coaches in this year’s awards. Along with Sprang, Brian Loeffler (Paralympic swimming; Baltimore, Md.) took home Paralympic National Coach of the Year honors. Additionally, George Ryals (archery; Monroe, Ga.) was named Developmental Coach of the Year, Kathleen Stevenson (archery; Nichols Hills, Okla.) was selected Volunteer Coach of the Year and Dave Hamilton (field hockey; Lancaster, Pa.) took home the Doc Councilman Science Award.
“We are honored to recognize this distinguished group of coaches, who have dedicated their lives to helping American athletes realize their full potential and achieve excellence, both on and off the field of play,” said Alan Ashley, USOC chief of sport performance. “Team USA is stronger because of their positive influence and tireless commitment to our athletes, and we are proud to honor them as our coaches of the year.”
Sprang accepts his award from USOC.
All-Time USSA USOC Coach of the Year Award Recipients
National Coach of the Year
The National Coach of the Year is presented to a coach of an elite-level club, collegiate or national-level team, or the coach of an elite athlete who competes at the highest level of his/her sport.
2001 Pete del’Giudice, U.S. Snowboarding coach
2002 Pete del’Giudice, U.S. Snowboarding coach
2006 Bud Keene, U.S. Snowboarding coach
2011 Rick Bower, U.S. Halfpipe Snowboarding Team coach
2013 Erik Flora, Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Club head coach
2014 Skogen Sprang, U.S. Slopestyle Skiing Team head coach
