VARA PROUDLY ANNOUNCES
2022 VARA Award Recipients
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2022 VARA HALL OF FAME
Robert "Bobo" Sheehan
Robert “Bobo” Sheehan was a legendary coach and an exemplary leader who worked tirelessly for his athletes, teams, and country. He ski-raced on the Newport Vermont High School team in 1939 and 1940 before matriculating to Middlebury College (Class of ’44). Bobo was a standout athlete in football, skiing, and baseball at Middlebury College. In 1945 following service as a dive bomber pilot with a ranking of Lieutenant Junior Grade in World War II, Sheehan returned to Middlebury College and coached for over 20 years. Sheehan led the Middlebury women’s ski team for a year before taking over the reins of the men’s program from 1947-1967. He also spent 11 years as Middlebury's baseball coach and coached football, tennis, and golf.
Sheehan led the 1948 and 1949 men’s alpine squads to national championship titles and earned runner-up honors in 1961. His ski teams captured eleven Eastern Championships and took home the title at the Middlebury Carnival on ten different occasions.
Sheehan coached seven Olympians, including Becky Fraser in 1948—Middlebury’s first representative to the Olympic Games. He served as the U.S. Men’s Alpine Team coach at the 1956 Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
Sheehan held the position of president for the Eastern Collegiate Ski Association and was also a member of the Olympic Ski Games Committee.
In 1984, Middlebury dedicated the Robert “Bobo” Sheehan chairlift to celebrate 50 years of skiing at the College. He is also a member of the Middlebury College and Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum Hall of Fame.
Bobo Sheehan played a vital role in the growth and development of ski racing in Vermont. He was instrumental in developing the junior racing program at the Middlebury Snow Bowl and the formation of the mid-vt council. His leadership and dedication helped create a high level of integrity and honored tradition for the sport that VARA members enjoy today.
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Bobo Sheehan is pictured racing while at Middlebury. | | |
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Rolf Gidlow VARA Development Coach of the Year
Chris Hurka - Okemo Mtn School
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Chris Hurka is the Alpine Program Director at Okemo Mountain School (OMS) and the Head U16 Men's Coach. Chris has been at OMS for over ten years, working with U14s before moving into his current role. His colleagues consider Chris one of the most dedicated coaches in the industry, hard-working, athlete development focused, and one who decisively goes the extra mile for his team, program, and events at the Okemo venue. His tireless work ethic provides his athletes with superior equipment, video preparation and review, and optimal training environments. Chris is dedicated to safety and the ever-needed B net installation and maintenance.
This past season Chris' U16 group had awesome results across the board. The group includes the VARA Super G State Champion (and second overall), Eastern Regional Overall Champion, and GS National Champion. Furthermore, almost 50% of his U16 group qualified for Easterns, and 50% of that group qualified for Nationals. These are particularly significant accomplishments considering the size of the OMS program and the fact that it is a winter term school.
Chris is a student of the sport, recently completing his level 300. He is constantly creating educational opportunities for the OMS staff, from technical talk meetings to sessions with Phil McNichol, meetings with the late Ron Lemaster, and much more. He is intensely focused on education and encourages staff to evaluate their coaching style and philosophy. Through his dedication and thoughtful consideration for his athletes and staff, they have become better students, skiers, coaches, and people.
A quote from a peer…. "I know through his educational events that I have become a better coach, and he has greatly influenced my life. I can't think of a more deserving person for coach of the year!"
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VARA Junior Development Coach of the Year
Annie Pollock - Pico Ski Club
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Ann (Annie Higgins) Pollock is a dedicated coach serving young athletes in the Mid-Vermont Council (MVC). Annie's coaching style is friendly with an approachable demeanor that makes athletes comfortable and eager to learn and she prioritizes the needs of her athletes and the vision of Pico Ski Club (PSC). Kids cheer when she is their coach for the day because they know that Annie will make their day fun by skiing in the woods, in moguls, in the terrain park, and anywhere they want to ski. Annie is an effective coach, she ensures safe learning environments, fosters appropriate skill development, and makes skiing FUN!
Her knowledge, experience, and ability to relate to her athletes and peers are what make her invaluable at PSC and MVC. Annie respects each individual athlete and coaches them accordingly; she does not have a “cookie cutter” approach to coaching. At an age group where skill sets can be varied and building friendships can be difficult, Annie makes sure that her athletes know they are appreciated and that they belong at PSC. She builds trust not only through encouragement but also through discipline. Her athletes are held accountable each day to behave in a positive manner toward their peers, resort staff, resort guests and their coaches.
Annie possesses a wealth of knowledge regarding ski racing. Not only is she a committed coach, but she is also an active official that can perform any task on and off the hill with excellence. She is a valuable asset to the state, council, and at PSC.
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Alpine Official Of the Year
-Carolyn Babbit-
Pico - Race Administrator
Carolyn has held many roles in the Pico Ski Club for over 30 years. She was an athlete, a coach, a parent, and a Race Administrator (RA). She has held the RA position for over 15 years. During this time, she has made herself one of the best RA's in VT.
She is always well prepared for races with timely race announcements, and entry lists, and on race day, she greets all race day guests with a smile and calm demeanor. As we all know, the RA position can be a thankless job and tends to get the brunt of complaints. It is also the first point of contact with parents, coaches, and racers. Carolyn handles all situations with professionalism and a smile. She always wants to do what is best for the athlete and what is fair without compromising the integrity of the race.
Carolyn spends countless hours prepping for and executing top-notch races at Pico. The efficiency of Pico's races is a testament to her knowledge and experience of the sport. Her level of professionalism in timing and calculations makes everyone around her confident and prepared. She is a TD’s dream. Carolyn stays current with her continuing education and her race official credentials are impressive.
Every race venue would feel fortunate to have her leadership in the timing tower and in all aspects of race day. She is well respected and one of the best RA's throughout VARA.
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Volunteer of the Year
-Shaun Rowe-
Smuggler's Notch Ski and Snowboard Club
Shaun has been a long-time member of the ski community at Smugglers' Notch and Stowe. Shaun is a tireless, committed, and respected volunteer. As a dedicated member of the Smugglers’ Notch Ski and Snowboard Club’s race crew, he works many long hours and many hard days to ensure that the Smugglers’ Notch Ski And Snowboard club can maintain a high-caliber event time and time again. This commitment includes challenging midweek races where an on-hill crew is difficult to obtain.
Shaun volunteers more than solely at Smugglers, for the 2022 season, Shaun also helped Mount Mansfield Academy during U14 Northern Vermont Council races and the U14 State Championships as part of the race crew and as a finish referee. In addition to these events, he volunteered to help Jay Peak with their late-season youth event, The International Open, where he was the race referee.
This past season Shaun volunteered almost 20 days for multiple programs. This was all while running his own electrical business and helping out with the Lamoille Union High School alpine ski team, which his son participates in as well.
Volunteering is an amazing way to give back and support youth sports. Shaun has helped parts of the Northern Vermont Council ensure quality races for VARA members.
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All VARA award recipients and the 2023 VARA Team will be recognized at the Killington Grand Resort on October 29th at the VARA Awards Reception.
Invites are coming soon!
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This event is proudly supported by Admin Ski Racing. | | | | | |
