SALT LAKE CITY, UT (Dec. 8, 2015) – Between World Cups, Grand Prix and national championships, 47 current athletes and alumni from the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing will be furthering their education at Westminster College this season. As the official education partner of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA), Westminster has helped over 130 national team athletes combine competing and training with a college education. A total of 22 athletes have graduated from the program.
Last season, 22 Westminster athletes competed in FIS World Championships and the X Games, bringing home a total of eight medals. With a full schedule of competitions in the coming months, this year’s student athletes are already seeing success in the classroom, carrying an average GPA of 3.58.
"I continue to be amazed by our world-class student athletes' commitment and dedication—not only to their sport, but to their education," said Stephen Morgan, Westminster president. "Maintaining an average 3.58 GPA while competing around the globe is extremely impressive and our USSA students should be very proud. These athletes bring an elite level of focus and experience to our college, and we are committed to providing them with a first-class education."
The USSA’s Athlete Career and Education programs continue to be an important part of supporting athletic success while preparing athletes for their careers after skiing and snowboarding. Last year, the USSA renewed its partnership with Westminster for an additional four years, helping support athlete education leading into the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang and the 2019 FIS Freestyle, Freeskiing and Snowboarding World Championships in Park City, UT.
“Without Westminster's program, there’s a good chance I may not have been able to go to school and train,” said 2015 FIS Moguls World Cup Rookie of the Year Morgan Schild, who, due to a knee injury, is taking a full course load this semester. “The ability to take classes online and in person allows athletes to find what works best for them. I also really like the small class size. It gives the teachers a chance to really get to know us and work with our schedules.”
HIGHLIGHTS
- Fourty-seven former and current athletes from the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing will be furthering their education at Westminster College this season.
- Westminster has helped over 130 national team athletes and alumni attend school during and after their athletic careers.
- A total of 22 athletes have graduated from the program.
- This year’s athletes currently maintain a 3.58 GPA.
- Westminster had 23 students compete in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi - 10% of Team USA
2015-16 USSA National Team Athletes / Westminster Students
U.S. Alpine Ski Team
Ryan Cochran-Siegle
Sam Dupratt
Tanner Farrow
Jared Goldberg
Wiley Maple
Anna Marno
Megan McJames
Alice McKennis
Brennan Rubie
Marco Sullivan
Jackie Wiles
U.S. Cross Country Ski Team
Jessie Diggins
Liz Stephen
U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team
Bryan Fletcher
Taylor Fletcher
U.S. Ski Jumping Team
Jessica Jerome
U.S. Freestyle Ski Team
Alex Bowen
Si Ning Chan
Avery Driscoll
Madison Gorelik
Sho Kashima
Hannah Kearney
Kiley McKinnon
Heather McPhie
Morgan Northrup
Eliza Outtrim
Maddie Olsen
Michael Rossi
Morgan Schild
U.S. Snowboarding
Eric Beauchemin
Alex Deibold
Arielle Gold
Faye Gulini
Jackie Hernandez
Jessika Jenson
Zoe Kalapos
Ryan Wachendorfer
U.S. Freeskiing
Maddie Bowman
Jess Breda
Joss Christensen
Alex Ferreira
Alex Hackel
Devin Logan
Alexi Micinski
Darian Stevens
Alex Schlopy
Emilia Wint
About Westminster:
Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college. With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information, visit www.westminstercollege.edu or follow @WestminsterSLC on Twitter.
