We received a really nice note from Coach Rick, who asked if we’d share his words with the club. Many of our members and Masters skiers put together a scrapbook and notes to Rick in honor of his many years with MNC. Luckily, Rick has only moved a few towns away…we’ve already “borrowed” him from Craftsbury to coach at our Thanksgiving Camp, and we’ll be able to still have fun with Rick out on the trails!
From Rick:
Hi there MNC skiers,
I wanted to take a few minutes to say thank you to everyone involved with the Mansfield Nordic Club. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend the Club pot-luck and annual meeting last month because I managed to get Covid after a trip to visit family in Florida. Kort did drop off the scrapbook and a couple of gifts -Thank You! I am so incredibly moved by the kind and thoughtful words many of you wrote. I am truly honored and grateful for having had the opportunity to meet and ski with so many wonderful people and to have worked with some of the finest coaches anywhere.
Although I started coaching way back in 1999 I believe that my coaching education took a significant upswing after coming to Vermont in 2011 and began working with so many motivated, knowledgeable and passionate coaches. I must admit it sometimes makes me feel old to run into ski coaches that were just little kids in BKL programs when I first met them but it also brings great satisfaction. After all, the real reason many of us coach skiing is to help people love the sport and way of life as much as we do. Race results are great but love of skiing is way more important. I feel very fortunate to be around coaches, athletes and families that try to make the world a better place.
As most of you know, Mary and I are moving towards retirement and settling in the beautiful town of Elmore, VT. However, for now I am still quite busy with coaching and taking on a few other ski related duties at Craftsbury where the same genuine love of skiing and healthy life-style exists. I am sure I will see many of you on the trails and I hope to join you in some future ski and bike adventures.
Thank you very much. Be kind and and ski a lot!!
Rick
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