University University of Denver Location Denver, Colorado League Division I (NCAA) | Conference RMISA Colors Crimson and Gold | |
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Home mountain Winter Park Resort, Devil's Thumb Ranch Head coach Andy LeRoy, Alpine; Dave Stewart, Nordic | ||
The University of Denver Ski Team is a collegiate team that has won a record 22 NCAA Championships the first dating back to 1954. Under the direction of coach Willy Schaeffler, a member of the National Ski Hall of Fame, the Pioneers skied their way to 13 championships. Under Schaeffler's leadership, the University of Denver Ski Team "completely dominated intercollegiate skiing" in the United States for two decades. Schaeffler's "passion for preparedness" and tough training regimen yielded "remarkable" success in competition.
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The program was absent from 1984–1992, but surged back onto the national scene winning eight of the first 12 NCAA Championships this century. The Alpine team currently practices less than 70 miles away from campus at Winter Park Resort. The Nordic team calls Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort home, only 78 miles from the university.
National championships
The Pioneers won their 22nd team championship in 2014, the most by any ski team in NCAA history. Colorado is second with 18 titles, and Utah is third with 10. The 22 ski titles are the fourth most NCAA Division I titles among any team in any single sport. Oklahoma State wrestling holds the most national titles with 34, followed by Southern Cal men’s outdoor track and field (26) and Iowa wrestling (23).
Individual National Champions
The Pioneers have produced 80 NCAA individual champions, including three in 2011.
Olympic athletes
The University of Denver have sent skiers to the Winter Olympics. The first games that DU was represented in were the 1948 games in St. Moriwitz, Switzerland. Recently the Pioneers have sent athletes to the Nagano Games and the Vancouver Games. Overall DU has sent over 50 athletes and coaches to represent their countries in the Olympics.