John McMurtry, M.A., M.B.A.

Experience

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  U.S. Ski & Snowboard

  Jun 1976 - Apr 1984

  Women's Development Coach, Head Technical Coach for Women's World Cup and Olympic Alpine Ski Teams

  After receiving his master's degree in sports science in 1976, The U.S. Ski Team named John coach of the Can Am team. For four years, John directed the development of future Olympic and World Cup champions for the U.S. Ski Team. In 1978, John organized and coached the first full time Europa Cup team. One of the athletes on the team was a young Tamara McKinney (the first American woman to win the overall world cup title).Following the 1980 Winter Olympics, the U.S. Ski Team named John head slalom and giant slalom coach for the women's world cup and Olympic teams. What happened during the next four years under John's direction is unmatched and unparalleled in the annals of U.S. skiing history. Between 1980 and 1984, the U.S. team dominated the European alpine powers. John's athletes won every major international title in giant slalom and slalom including the following:• 23 World Cup races; • 2 overall giant slalom World Cup Titles (1981 and 1983);• Nation's Cup Trophy as the number one alpine ski team in the world (1982) (first and only time);• Overall World Cup Title (1983); • Slalom World Cup Title (1984);• Gold and Silver Medals in giant slalom at the XIV Olympic Winter Games in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia (Christin Cooper-Tache, Debbie Armstrong).The women's team was deep with talent. Seven of the team members had won world cup races or medals during their careers. Finally, the Americans had gained the respect of the world. Success during this period was due to the systematic and scientific approach to conditioning and training. During this period, John's peers in Europe regarded him as one of the top technical coaches in the world. The F.I.S. selected him as course setter for the giant slalom event at the 1982 World Alpine Championships in Schladming, Austria, and slalom course setter at the XIV Olympic Winter Games in Sarajevo 1984. Show less

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  Sports Performance Orthopaedics Research Training (S.P.O.R.T.)

  Apr 1984 - Feb 1987

  Partner

  Following his successful stint with the U.S. Ski Team, John resigned to join orthopaedic surgeon Dr. J. Richard Steadman in 1984 and resumed his work in sports medicine/science. John had previously worked with Dr. Steadman who is chairman of the sports medicine council and physicians group for the U.S. Ski Team. Working with Dr. Steadman and his two partners, Topper Hagerman, Ph.D. and John Atkins, the foursome founded S.P.O.R.T., Inc. (a precursor to the Steadman Philippon Research Institute ). They developed innovative rehabilitation and injury prevention programs and products. While working with Dr. Steadman, John consulted to the ski industry. In November of 1984, with four months notice, the Park City Resort asked John to organize the first men and women's Alpine World Cup races held in the state of Utah. As Chief of Race, John recruited over 300 volunteers and put together the committee structure to organize an event of this size. To prepare the race hill, the Park City Resort and Logan Manufacturing Company devised a unique winch system to allow grooming machines to descend on the steep race course; because of the steep grade, snow cats had never been on the trail before. This first world cup race attracted 17,000 spectators and was a success. Park City's world cup races have become a show case event in Utah's bid to win the 2002 Winter Olympic games. In 1986, John was part of the first U.S. ski industry delegation to visit the People's Republic of China. The purpose of the mission was to explore joint-venture possibilities between the two countries. John presented a paper to the All China Sports Federation and the Ministry for Foreign Economic Relations and Trade entitled: A Proposal for a National Ski Program for the People's Republic of China. Show less

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  U.S. Ski & Snowboard

  Feb 1987 - Oct 1990

  Alpine Director/Director of Athlete Development

  Most people know John McMurtry for his US Ski Team coaching career in the 1980s when John coached USST competitors who won World Cup titles, Olympic gold and silver medals, and the only Nation’s Cup award for any U.S. Alpine team. Yet his most significant contribution to the sport of skiing is the USSA Regional Development Program which has brought and continues to bring thousands of young athletes into the sport. After leaving the US Ski Team in 1984, the U.S. rarely achieved top 10 results. In 1987, McMurtry, invited back as Development/Alpine Director, envisioned and executed an immediately successful solution that set the U.S. team up for its current success. To foster athlete development, John divided the country into three regions: Eastern, Rocky/Central and Western. Each region organized training camps and competitions for top junior talent and their coaches. After each event, athletes would return to their home program. This “pollination” exposed athletes to national programs and allowed regional directors/coaches and national team staff to work with and identify talent. Immediately, this development plan produced dominating performances at the World Junior Championships (1987-90) including 14 medals (eight gold). The Boards of the U.S. Ski Team and U.S.S.A. approved John’s development plan in 1989 and this structure remains in place today. Since 1989, every U.S. Ski Team athlete has entered this “pipeline” including Picabo Street, Tommy Moe, Bode Miller, Lindsey Vonn, and Julie Mancuso.John’s legacy includes writing Performance Training Manuals for athletes and coaches, assisting with international ski programs and sports medicine research. Show less

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  Steadman Philippon Research Institute

  Feb 1994 - Aug 2017

  Chief Development Officer, Vice President of Development, Director of Development

  Nationally respected leader in the alpine skiing, Olympic sports and sports medicine industries; executive leadership for program and athlete development; 23 years in nonprofit marketing; community relations; partnership development; event development and execution; database/direct marketing; board development; national and international fundraising resulting in exponential growth in revenue; brand awareness; and donations most recently for the Steadman Philippon Research Institute and Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame.Oversees the planning and execution of the fund development and institutional relations program for Steadman Philippon Research Institute, which provides a substantial portion of the Institute’s operating, capital, and endowment revenue by generating philanthropic contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Show less

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  Skiing History, Journal of the International Skiing History Association

  Sept 2014 - now

  Vice President (volunteer)
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  Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame

  Jul 2017 - Jun 2018

  Vice President

  Consulted and assisted with the fundraising effort to complete the $2.5 million Transformation Campaign which exceeded targeted campaign goals.

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  Rocky Mountain Ski Racing

  Sept 2018 - Jul 2019

  Executive Director and Co-Founder

  Pursuing Excellence Through Alpine Ski Racing Building productive and powerful citizens

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  Lake County Community Fund

  Jul 2019 - now

  Executive Director

  The Lake County Community Fund (LCCF) was established to create a sustainable funding source to accomplish collective goals for the Lake County community. The LCCF helps build ongoing funding and a sustainable future for the extraordinary community of Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado. Donors who want to give to a charity that supports the community can contribute to the fund and know their donation is going to a trusted source. Leadville and Twin Lakes nonprofits can apply for grants through the fund to further their missions. To learn more about the LCCF, please visit www.lakecountycommunityfund.org. Show less