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This is the History of Nordic Skiing at UMD and has been gathered by talking to numerous people on or affiliated with UMD skiing over the years. Take note that this may not be 100% accurate but we strive to be as accurate as possible. If you have a correction or addition please contact us at nordicskiclub@d.umn.edu!
Early 70's: The ski club was a loosely organized unofficial club which got together to do different ski races around the region.
Late 70's: In the late 70's UMD had an NCAA men's team and because the NCAA did not allow women's teams until 1982 the women's team was part of the AIAW (Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women). Both teams were coached by Gary Larson for 4 years (1978-1981).
Early 80's: In the early 80's this team then turned into a club which was part of NCSA (the National Collegiate Ski Association) which is the same as USCSA today. In 1983 (and possibly 1984 or 1982) the men's team won the national title.
Late 80's: In the late 80's into the early 90's the Midwest turned into a NCAA skiing hotspot with teams at UMD, Mesabi, Bemiji, St. Johns, St. Olaf, the U of M, Carleton, etc. One coach at the time for UMD was possibly Rod Raymond.
90's: Mid 90's the NCAA team lost funding and turned into a club team. In 1992 NCSA changed their name to USCSA.
2000-2008: At some point the club died out was a club again possibly around 2004 and then around 2008 the club was resurrected again.
2008-2019: The UMD Nordic Ski Club was started (again) and continued citizen racing in the Midwest unaffiliated with any outside organization.
Founding of MCSA: MCSA was started in the fall of 2019 as a way for Nordic skiing collegiate clubs to compete against each other in the Midwest and ultimately be connected to part of a large national organization as part of USCSA. A few notable Names in the founding of MCSA are Luke Dykowski (UMN Club President at the time and the driving force behind MCSA Nordic), Jordan Woods (UMD Club President), Ted Theyerl (MCSA Nordic Conference Coordinator), and others. Note that UMD along with MTU, UMNTC, and UWM was considered one of the "core 4" MCSA schools integral in the founding and continuation of MCSA as a club racing organization.
It should be noted that club/non-NCAA racing did happen in the past in the Midwest as part of NCSA (the predecessor to USCSA) which UMD was apart of in at least the 1980's.
2019-2020: The Men's team got 2nd in the Collegiate Cup
2020-2021: COVID. Unfortunately the club was not allowed to officially race together, but members still went to races unofficially and continued the legacy of UMD students participating in citizen racing in the Midwest (this year as the "Duluth Area Golden Retrievers"). The Men's team secured 2nd place and the Women 3rd place on the Collegiate Cup podium.
2021-22: Coming out of COVID the team started back up again strong as ever with the Men's Team winning the Collegiate Cup and the women's team coming in 4th.
2022-23: Men's Collegiate Cup Champions and Regional Champions, Women 2nd place at Regionals and 4th place in the Collegiate Cup
2023-24: Men's Collegiate Cup Champions, and Women 4th place Collegiate Cup placement. A team of 4 (2 Men and 2 Women) went to Lake Placid for USCSA Nationals where there were multiple individual All-American performances.
2024-25: The men's team got 2nd place at regionals while the women's team tied for 3rd but unfortunately lost the tie breaker to get 4th at regionals. In Collegiate Cup standings the men were 3rd and the women were 5th. Both the men's team and women's team went to Nationals held in Bend OR at Mount Bachelor with a total of 10 skiers competing and 2 student coaches.
If you have any information on the history of Nordic skiing at UMD please let us know at nordicskiclub@d.umn.edu!
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