Smith
Skiers Join the Club
A steady decline in the
number of competitive student skiers in recent years has
led to the recent decision to transition the ski team to
a club sport.
 While the shift means a change
in the college account that funds the lift tickets and travel
expenses for skiers – from the Athletics Department
to the Student Government Association (SGA) – the athletes
will continue to compete in the same division and continue
to receive coaching.
“The change will enable us to meet the needs of student athletes and possibly
engage a greater number of students who wish to develop their skills,” said Lynn
Oberbillig, director of Smith College Athletics. “There are other club teams
in our league right now that have competed as a club for years.”
Numbers of skiers have dwindled
from a high of a dozen annually to as few as three in the
past few years.
Until the club is chartered
and eligible for funding from the SGA, the athletics department
will continue to fund lift tickets and travel expenses, said
Oberbillig.
Other club sports at Smith include
rugby, ultimate Frisbee, fencing, synchronized swimming,
cheerleading and ice hockey. |
