NENSA Awards
These awards are given annually to honor the achievements and contributions of our members who work to support NENSA’s mission of sustaining a vibrant and active Nordic skiing community in New England.
2021 Award Recipients : The Entire New England Ski Community
Due to the COVID Pandemic, we decided to not have our usual annual awards. So much of the year was focused on hosting safe events, however we could. These included many virtual options as well as state by state events, as many state lines were closed and our XC ski community had to stay local and not travel. Thus our “typical” events did not happen, but many wonderful modified events did. These included State Cup Races, combined U16/EHS individual State championships as well as over 16 mini-BKL local “festivals” and a Women’s Day was held on the same day, in 5 different locations, in 4 different states. In short, our ENTIRE SKI COMMUNITY deserves an Award, for doing all they could, given the circumstances, to help NENSA host and continue our programing, even in the midst of a pandemic. We thank every club, venue and skier, who did all they could to make their own corner of New England a special and welcoming place for their local skiers to get outside and just enjoy the winter. So hats off to EVERYONE who made our “shelter in place” season a huge success!
2020 Award Recipients
John Caldwell Award: One of NENSA’s finest traditions is presenting the John Caldwell Award. This award annually recognizes a single individual, or entity, which embodies the spirit, dedication, innovation, and pride of John Caldwell.
Coach of the Year: This award is given annually to honor a NENSA coach for their achievements and contributions in working with athletes, in support of NENSA’s mission to sustain a vibrant and active Nordic skiing community in New England.
Kathy Maddock, Dublin XC and Justin Fereshetian, Quarry Road Ski Club
Club of the Year: This award is given annually to honor a NENSA club that is making great strides in supporting the NENSA mission to sustain a vital and active nordic skiing community in New England.
Chummy Broomhall Award: This award is named after Chummy, who was the Chisholm Ski Club leader for 70 plus years, 2 time Olympian, and builder of the Olympic race courses for Squaw Valley, Lake Placid and Black Mountain. He embodied the spirit of being a volunteer as he was a man who gave his time to generations. It is in this spirit that this award be in his honor for the unsung heroes of ski racing.
Bill Koch League Youth Leadership Award: The Bill Koch League Leadership Award is for those community members who embody fun, community, and a lifelong love of the sport.
Kate Parrott, Berkshire Trails BKL
Gallagher Award: Eastern Cup Champions (Best 7 of 9 races). We honor these skiers inspired efforts and celebrate Mike Gallagher’s legacy as an athlete, coach, and community leader. The two skiers who win this award each year do so by being consistently dominant in New England’s premier race series.
Abigail Streinz, Fort Kent Outdoor Center and Will Koch, SMS T2 / University of Colorado