PARK CITY, Utah (March 20) – Olympian John Farra has been named as the new Nordic director for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA). USSA President and CEO Bill Marolt announced Farra's appointment to head the organization's sport programs for cross country, Nordic combined and ski jumping. He will replace Luke Bodensteiner who was recently named as associate athletic director for high performance.
“John brings enthusiasm, excitement and a strong background in Nordic sport at all levels,” said Marolt. “We have made great strides with our Nordic programs in the last decade in bringing our community together nationwide and starting to produce top international results. He will be a great leader to continue those efforts on behalf of our U.S. Nordic athletes.”
“I am thrilled to be back at the USSA at such an exciting time,” said Farra. “Luke and the coaching staff have been running world class professional programs that are creating impressive opportunities for athletes. They are rising to the occasion en route to the 2010 Olympics. And USSA clubs are doing their part to prepare their skiers for high-level competition. It is a splendid time to be a U.S. Nordic fan.”
Farra's background touches on all aspects of athletic participation and sport management. The former U.S. champion was a 1992 Olympic cross country skier and member of the U.S. Ski Team from 1990-93, and was a 1991 NCAA All American at the University of Utah. He graduated from Utah in 1995 and moved into a coaching role. He then served six years in leadership roles at the National Sports Academy in Lake Placid.
Since 2002 Farra has worked for the Maine Winter Sports Center, a non-profit economic development corporation based around skiing as a healthy lifestyle, where he served as vice president. His work there included significant development in cross country and biathlon venues in Fort Kent and Presque Isle, as well as other areas. He was responsible for tremendous growth in the organization using the promotion of skiing as a healthy lifestyle activity, especially its Healthy Hometowns program.
His position with USSA will be diverse, overseeing pipeline programs in clubs and regions around the country in cross country, Nordic combined and ski jumping. He will also be responsible for management of elite national teams.
