Middlebury Cross Country began in 1921 under the direction of Arthur M Brown (Williams '07) who would coach the team until it was dropped after the 1954 season. Cross Country was re-instituted as a varsity sport under John Bower in 1969 after a few years as an club sport, primarily giving Nordic skiers a competitive outlet in the fall. Ski coach Terry Aldrich was named head of both the men's and women's teams in 1975. The women made their debut with a dual meet against Williams (just as the men did a half century before) in 1974.