Big Sky Ski Team

Exemplars of Sportsmanship: Kassidy Boersma and Derek Hetherington

Two Big Sky Team members stood out this past weekend for demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship.  At the SG/GS Kombi races at Bridger Bowl, Kassidy Boersma was called to the podium to receive a medal.  However, she disqualified herself and forfeited her medal in favor of another athlete, because she had missed a gate that hadn't resulted in a DSQ.  Similarly, at the slalom series at Snowbowl, Derek Hetherington (J2) straddled a gate in his first run on Sunday.  Although the gate judge failed to catch the error - and the race organizers invited Derek to compete in the second run of the race - Derek withdrew himself from competition rather than compromise himself.  As you'll undoubtedly agree, Kassidy and Derek demonstrated a level of maturity and integrity that is worthy of emulation.

Next BSSEF Board Meeting on 2/22/12

The next board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 2/22/12, at 5:30PM in the first floor conference room in the First Security Bank building in Big Sky.

Parents in Sports

We parents invest money, time, and emotion into youth sports programs including BSSEF's.  The National Association for Sport and Physical Education offers the following suggestions on how we can best channel our involvement for the greatest effect:

1. Let the coaches do the coaching for all team members.
2. Support the program: Volunteer to assist the team outside of coaching.
3. Be your child’s best fan: Positively support your child unconditionally. Acknowledge his or her effort, support of team members, following instruction from coaches, etc.
4. Support and root for all team members: Foster teamwork.
5. Do not bribe or offer incentives. Orient them to the enjoyment of participating and responsibility to the team.
6. Encourage your child to talk with the coaches: If your child is having difficulties in practice or games or can’t make a practice, encourage him or her to speak directly to the coaches.
7. Understand and display appropriate game behavior (e.g., watch; make positive remarks; do not berate pla yers, officials, or coaches): Remember, your child’s self-esteem and game performance is at stake. Be supportive.
8. Monitor your child’s stress level at home: Keep an eye on the player to make sure you are helping your child effectively handle the stress from the various activities in life.
9. Monitor eating and sleeping habits: Be sure your child is eating the proper foods and getting adequate rest.
10. Help your child keep his or her priorities straight: Help your child maintain a balance among schoolwork, family responsibilities, chores, and free time.
11. Keep sport in its proper perspective: Sport should be fun for you and your child. Highly skilled children and their parents must be especially careful to maintain a balanced view.
12. If your child’s performance produces strong emotions in you, maintain a calm demeanor. Your relationship with your child remains long after competitive sport days are over. Keep your goals and needs separate from your child’s experience.
13. Reality test: If your child has come off the field when their team has lost, but has played their best, help them to see this as a “win.” Remind your child to focus on “process” and not only “results.” Fun and satisfaction should be derived from “striving to win” and playing well and hard.
14. Have fun.

Memorial Service for David Gaillard

As most of you know, David Gaillard, the husband of long-time BSSEF coach Kerry Corcoran and stepfather of Silver Brelsford, was killed in an avalanche in the Cooke City backcountry this past weekend.  A memorial service will be held this Friday at 2:00PM in the Springhill Pavilion north of Bozeman.  Download a map here.

Beginning to Look a Lot Like Winter

The Junior Development team kicks off the season at Big Sky in less than four weeks!

Remembering Glen Gransberg

Longtime BSSEF member Glen Gransberg passed away on 10/13/11.  You can read his obituary here.  Glen's love for ski racing and Big Sky manifested itself in his generous endowment of a fund to help support the team's annual Gransberg Cup.  You can view action from last Spring's inaugural event here.  This year's Cup will be held on 3/10/12.

Coming Soon: Season Kickoff Meeting(s) for Parents

Watch this space for details about upcoming parents' events in Bozeman and Big Sky to kick-off the 2011-2012 season.

Don't Praise Your Children

A criticism of "lazy praise" by a sport psychologist.

Update Your USSA Memberships

All participants in BSSEF programs must be members of the USSA.  Sign-up or renew your memberships online here.

Important: USSA Concussion Policy

New laws have put a spotlight on concussions.  Consequently, the USSA has adopted the following action plan:

• Remove the athlete from activity – training or competition, when suspected of having sustained a concussion or TBI [traumatic brain injury].
• Inform the athletes' parents/guardian.
• Allow the athlete to return to sport when cleared by a qualified medical provider trained in concussion management.

The USSA will maintain a list of those people who are deemed "qualified medical providers trained in concussion management."  When a USSA coach (in the case of training) or the Technical Delegate (in the case of competition) suspects that an athlete has sustained a concussion, the athlete will be removed from training or competition, the USSA will be informed immediately via the fax or email submission of the USSA's First Report of Accident Form, and the athlete's membership will be suspended until such time that the USSA is satisfied that a qualified medical provider trained in concussion management has cleared the athlete to train and compete.  If an athlete's name is on the medical suspension list, Race Administrators will not accept the athlete's entry.

Technical Delegate's are simply not going to deviate from this policy.

Acceptance of the USSA concussion policy is a requirement of USSA membership, and all BSSEF participants are required to be active members of the USSA.  See here for more information.