National Nordic Foundation - Interview with new board member Chad Salmela
Chad Salmela is a man of many words, in many languages. He is perhaps best known for his jubilant “Here comes Diggins!” commentary at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. Those who have met Chad know that he has a talent for talking. We featured Chad’s three tips for learning a new language last week.
Chad Salmela skiing in Lake Louise, Canada
As he has so much to say, we separated his interview into two pieces. This week, Chad talks about the National Nordic Foundation, which is currently in the midst of its “Drive for 25.”
What inspired you to join the NNF Board?
“Having been a developing athlete before, I recognize the critical nature of the NNF to American ski racing success. It fills a niche that our national governing body is not equipped to fill; one that is generally too big and specific a role for US clubs to fill; and yet in our sport, we need this kind of support to float our most talented and motivated young athletes to the next level. In countries where the sport is a bigger deal, clubs CAN fill this role, AND the cost for a Norwegian or Swede or even Russian to get to an OPA cup three times a winter, is way less prohibitive. NNF is a necessary organization to the unique development needs of our country and it’s sports system.
NNF’s fingerprints are all over the successes we’ve had as a ski nation since its inception. They are almost entirely interlocked, and that to me makes it vital to continued success. To me, the proof is in the pudding.
Clubs do a great job in this country too. But if all the coaches and administrators in the clubs had to independently raise all the funds to send the most promising kids and young adults to race on the European continent on top of what they do already, we simply would not be developing competitive international skiers at the rate we are today. It isn’t a stand-alone entity, but a vital appendage.”
US skiers benefiting from the generous support of the National Nordic Foundation are all smiles as they collect their awards at the Europa Cup competitions in Seefeld, Austria
What are your goals in your new role?
“At a minimum, keep it on track and continue to serve as it has to date. As an aspiration, to raise greater awareness of the black hole this body tries to plug in the pipeline of American skiing success. I would like to attract more people with successful foundation experience to the organization. That is a glaring personal weakness of mine in this role, but perhaps I can help convince some more folks with that experience to get involved and recognize NNF’s role in what everyone is so jazzed about when the USA stands atop the podium. I’d aspire to NNF doing more than funding trips for talented skiers. I’d like to see it involved and driving more women into coaching and leadership roles in the sport, for example. I’d like to see it supporting coaches education in general. It’s a great organization already, but I believe it can still do more, but we can’t do that at the expense of what it does already. To do more, the foundation has to grow.
The underlying importance is more opportunities for more athletes to excel. I am not an experienced fundraiser. I am not wealthy myself. But I am passionate about the sport, I have somewhat of a soapbox, I like to talk about the sport and the developmental process, and this is a way beyond coaching skiers (which I no longer do), to support the hard work that the athletes and coaches are doing. I hope my experience and insights can bring something positive to the organization. It’s all very new though. I need some time in the organization to figure out how I might best serve it. I’m hopeful there are ways.”
Guests on the Lumi Experiences trip to the 2019 Seefeld World Championships, a benefit for the National Nordic Foundation, sport their relay socks and raise a schnapps to the races!
Will you be announcing at the Minneapolis World Cup? Any thoughts on the World Cup coming to the US for the first time in almost 20 years?
“Yes, I will be there. I was at the last one in 2001 and worked in the TV truck as a spotter for the producer of the world feed. That was actually my first brush with TV (I liked it immediately). The one before that was 1985 at Giants Ridge. My brother and I skipped school and skied about 2km on the silver trail behind Gunde Svan, Torgny Mogren, and Erik Oestlund. I wouldn’t miss this one.
I think it’s going to be great. I think we’re going to surprise FIS with what enthusiasm and support the event will bring out. I don’t think I have to hope people come. I think they will.”
Thanks, Chad! See you on the trail this winter.
If you’d like to hear Chad’s enthusiasm in person, Lumi Experiences is offering a trip to the Minneapolis World Cup. Lumi Experiences offers an annual fundraising trip for the National Nordic Foundation. In the past two years, these trips have raised over $16,000 for the NNF. Check out www.lumiexperiences.com to learn more and sign up.