Funding for the University of Nevada Ski Team has been drastically cut for the 2009-2010 season, and will be completely eliminated in 2010-2011. Next season, the University will continue to cover tuition waivers for skiing student-athletes and personnel costs for the coaching staff, but operational costs will be covered by donors or other sources. All funding will be eliminated the following year.
The Wolf Pack placed 10th overall at the 2009 NCAA Championships, qualifying four Nordic skiers and six Alpine skiers for the event. Sophomore Greg Berger-Sabbatel was a two-time All-American (top 10 finish at the NCAA Championships) in 2009. The Nordic team was led by Senior captain Chelsea Holmes, who finished 16th in the women’s 15km freestyle at the NCAA Championships. She was joined by Nordic teammates Kristin Ronnestrand, Lutz Pruessler, and Jonathan Pluvin,
Nevada had a third-place finish in the Western Regional Championships, best ever for the Wolf Pack.
“We are all facing challenging economic times, and we have tried to make cuts that will have a minimal impact on the student-athlete experience,” athletic director Cary Groth told the Reno Gazette-Journal. “We didn’t want to cut student-athletes’ opportunities in sports, but we have had very tough choices to make and will not be able to fund the program after the 2009-10 season.
“I have met with our ski staff and boosters, and we are discussing multiple alternatives of continuing our ski tradition. Possibilities include being funded by donors or becoming a club sport.”
Read more from the Reno Gazette-Journal:
Nevada athletics: Ski team funding cut, program’s future in jeopardy
![University of Nevada Logo](http://images.fasterskier.com/2009/07/ewqfpaweytcqgwt20090217183144.jpg" "University of Nevada Logo")
