I personally am curious then what the "future plans of the school" and "interests of the college" might be? I would think that academically strong athletes with an interest and committment to lifelong sports that promote an appreciation of the natural resources important for their sport might very well be in the "interests of the college"
R
Rick Petroff
12 years ago
With Minnesota being one of the largest ski areas in the states it would make more sense to build the program then to eliminate it. We need to keep our kids in this area to build our communities with some of the best student athletes.
D
David Moore
12 years ago
I'm a professor at fellow liberal-arts school Macalester College, and a citizen Nordic racer, and my two young boys are aspiring nordic skiers too. Nordic skiing is a brilliant lifetime sport and an exciting -- and inexpensive -- high school and college sport too. It's one of Minnesota's athletically distinctive traditions. It's a deep shame that Gustavus (named after a Swedish king) is dropping so Minnesotan, so Scandinavian, so outdoor-oriented, and so compelling a winter sport.
L
Louis Mielke
12 years ago
Nordic Skiing hosts some of the most responsible, intelligent, kind student athletes in the school. This community truly fosters the northern culture of nordic. Do the interests of the college not support the northern culture nordic brings to the campus? I don't think so.
S
Steve Baas
12 years ago
Without Nordic Skiing as a school sponsored sport, there are current high school skiers who will look elsewhere. Gustavus is known, and has a strong reputation for its team. It is difficult to become known for both academics and sports. So this move is something that could have negative impact that will go beyond the sport. As a parent of one such potential student athlete, I recommend you reconsider this move.
E
Ernie Luedke
12 years ago
Nordic skiing instills in its athletes: 1) Perseverance 2) The skills and knowledge to live a healthy lifestyle 3) The opportunity to explore boundaries (physical, mental, and geographical) I believe these are all tenants of an institution of higher education. Please consider maintaining nordic skiing as a varsity sport. Thank you
D
Deb Kline
12 years ago
As the parent of a collegiate nordic skier, I believe there is a need for more of these programs not less. Please reconsider this decision.
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Brian Abery
12 years ago
Another short sighted decision made by short sighted administrators who know nothing about the sport and care only about "major" sports, none of which come close to Nordic skiing with respect to being life long pursuits. I find it even more tragic that another liberal arts college has cut its Nordic ski program as it just goes to show that schools like Gustavus are no longer being run by liberal arts administrators. As the head coach of a Nordic ski team that has sent several skiers to Gustavus in the past, the school can be assured that it will no longer be on my list of colleges to recommend to students
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Robert Shoemaker
12 years ago
As a member of the St. Peter Community, cross country skier and a person who has worked closely with several Nordic Ski Team members over the years in my classroom at St. Peter High School, this decision is more than just disappointing. This changes the face of the college and, like recent decisions made around campus, changes the nature of who decides to attend Gustavus in the future. I can personally account for one potential incoming who will now make a decision on another school since Nordic Skiing is eliminated from the competitive/sponsored athletic program. I continue to be amazed at the changes on campus that have the potential for stepping the campus in a backward direction.
H
Harris Dirnberger
12 years ago
The execution of the Gustavus ski team will have more repercussions than you can imagine.
S
Steve Hokanson
12 years ago
Get rid of one of your fake sports.
J
Jordyn Ross
12 years ago
Please reenstate this team! They are wonderful people that bring a great competitive spirit to each and every meet. I would love to see them continue to bring that attudie to meets for years to come.
J
Jessie Diggins
12 years ago
Both my parents went to Gustavus College and I have many friends on the Nordic team there. I hope that the College reverses their decision and keeps the team as it should be; competing on the NCAA level with funding and support.
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Dave Everson
12 years ago
So if Nordic can't survive at Gustavus, a Lutheran school with strong Scandinavian ties, where can it survive? Student athletes need more options than the traditional major sports, and I agree that Nordic skiing is a health driven life-long sport. I skied on the Alpine team at Gustavus back in the late 80's and still race weekly all Winter. How many of the football players are still playing football??
M
Mara Renier
12 years ago
No reason GAC couldn't make all sports cut a certain amount proportionate with number of student athletes on all teams.....
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Willie Lutes
12 years ago
Featured
My college sports experience shaped me to be the person I am today. My teammates became family, and coaches mentors and competition and improving my passion. That should not be taken away, like it has to anybody in the Gustavus family and community
K
Kristen Moline
12 years ago
My daughter was a member of the Orono High School Nordic Team. She and many teammates attended Nordic Ski Camp at Gustavus. This program is unmatched in it's ability to motivate, train & teach young nordic skiers to work hard & be their best. I cannot believe the decision to cut the team from varsity athletics was made. I am a Gustavus Alumni. Please know that this will directly affect my future giving decisions. I urge you to rethink and support the Nordic Team. The "interests of the college" (and those who support it!) are more than football and hockey.
J
James McLean
12 years ago
I attend CSB/SJU, a MIAC school that once had Nordic Skiing, which was cut in a similar fashion to what is currently going on to our Gustie friends. In our research and hope to preserve our own sport, we found that Nordic Skiing brought the top students at our school that not only excelled in academics but also in other sports such as Cross Country Running and Track & Field. By eliminating Nordic Skiing, Gustavus' Administration will be at great risk of losing talented prospective students who would enrich the school's classes and sports arenas. Do not limit the scope of who would like to attend your school, keep Nordic Skiing alive.
I personally am curious then what the "future plans of the school" and "interests of the college" might be? I would think that academically strong athletes with an interest and committment to lifelong sports that promote an appreciation of the natural resources important for their sport might very well be in the "interests of the college"
With Minnesota being one of the largest ski areas in the states it would make more sense to build the program then to eliminate it. We need to keep our kids in this area to build our communities with some of the best student athletes.
I'm a professor at fellow liberal-arts school Macalester College, and a citizen Nordic racer, and my two young boys are aspiring nordic skiers too. Nordic skiing is a brilliant lifetime sport and an exciting -- and inexpensive -- high school and college sport too. It's one of Minnesota's athletically distinctive traditions. It's a deep shame that Gustavus (named after a Swedish king) is dropping so Minnesotan, so Scandinavian, so outdoor-oriented, and so compelling a winter sport.
Nordic Skiing hosts some of the most responsible, intelligent, kind student athletes in the school. This community truly fosters the northern culture of nordic. Do the interests of the college not support the northern culture nordic brings to the campus? I don't think so.
Without Nordic Skiing as a school sponsored sport, there are current high school skiers who will look elsewhere. Gustavus is known, and has a strong reputation for its team. It is difficult to become known for both academics and sports. So this move is something that could have negative impact that will go beyond the sport. As a parent of one such potential student athlete, I recommend you reconsider this move.
Nordic skiing instills in its athletes: 1) Perseverance 2) The skills and knowledge to live a healthy lifestyle 3) The opportunity to explore boundaries (physical, mental, and geographical) I believe these are all tenants of an institution of higher education. Please consider maintaining nordic skiing as a varsity sport. Thank you
As the parent of a collegiate nordic skier, I believe there is a need for more of these programs not less. Please reconsider this decision.
Another short sighted decision made by short sighted administrators who know nothing about the sport and care only about "major" sports, none of which come close to Nordic skiing with respect to being life long pursuits. I find it even more tragic that another liberal arts college has cut its Nordic ski program as it just goes to show that schools like Gustavus are no longer being run by liberal arts administrators. As the head coach of a Nordic ski team that has sent several skiers to Gustavus in the past, the school can be assured that it will no longer be on my list of colleges to recommend to students
As a member of the St. Peter Community, cross country skier and a person who has worked closely with several Nordic Ski Team members over the years in my classroom at St. Peter High School, this decision is more than just disappointing. This changes the face of the college and, like recent decisions made around campus, changes the nature of who decides to attend Gustavus in the future. I can personally account for one potential incoming who will now make a decision on another school since Nordic Skiing is eliminated from the competitive/sponsored athletic program. I continue to be amazed at the changes on campus that have the potential for stepping the campus in a backward direction.
The execution of the Gustavus ski team will have more repercussions than you can imagine.
Get rid of one of your fake sports.
Please reenstate this team! They are wonderful people that bring a great competitive spirit to each and every meet. I would love to see them continue to bring that attudie to meets for years to come.
Both my parents went to Gustavus College and I have many friends on the Nordic team there. I hope that the College reverses their decision and keeps the team as it should be; competing on the NCAA level with funding and support.
So if Nordic can't survive at Gustavus, a Lutheran school with strong Scandinavian ties, where can it survive? Student athletes need more options than the traditional major sports, and I agree that Nordic skiing is a health driven life-long sport. I skied on the Alpine team at Gustavus back in the late 80's and still race weekly all Winter. How many of the football players are still playing football??
No reason GAC couldn't make all sports cut a certain amount proportionate with number of student athletes on all teams.....
My college sports experience shaped me to be the person I am today. My teammates became family, and coaches mentors and competition and improving my passion. That should not be taken away, like it has to anybody in the Gustavus family and community
My daughter was a member of the Orono High School Nordic Team. She and many teammates attended Nordic Ski Camp at Gustavus. This program is unmatched in it's ability to motivate, train & teach young nordic skiers to work hard & be their best. I cannot believe the decision to cut the team from varsity athletics was made. I am a Gustavus Alumni. Please know that this will directly affect my future giving decisions. I urge you to rethink and support the Nordic Team. The "interests of the college" (and those who support it!) are more than football and hockey.
I attend CSB/SJU, a MIAC school that once had Nordic Skiing, which was cut in a similar fashion to what is currently going on to our Gustie friends. In our research and hope to preserve our own sport, we found that Nordic Skiing brought the top students at our school that not only excelled in academics but also in other sports such as Cross Country Running and Track & Field. By eliminating Nordic Skiing, Gustavus' Administration will be at great risk of losing talented prospective students who would enrich the school's classes and sports arenas. Do not limit the scope of who would like to attend your school, keep Nordic Skiing alive.