Whoa.

The PNSA skier gossip network is in full tizzy mode.  Ben Husaby lost his job yesterday, and people (myself inculded) are UPSET.  VERY.

Ben had been the head coach of the MBSEF team in Bend OR for as long as I can remember.  He is an amazing coach.  He’s got one of those big presences that just exudes cool, making skiing seem cool by association.  He can also be very intense.  “Do you want it Kristina?  Do you really, really want it?”  I remember him asking me over dinner before a race.  His gaze was intense, like a magnifying glass poised between the hot sun and my little ant-like self.  I was intensely scared and motivated at the same time.  The scared part faded, but the motivation still echos in my head.  Whenever it gets tough, all I have to ask myself if I really want it or not.  And then, out of shear stubbornness, do whatever it takes to prove that I really do.

I bet every athlete he’s ever worked with has some similar story.  If you’ve got one, how about spending a few minutes tonight to write it down?  Send them to brennaknowles (at) gmail (dot) com.  She’ll be presenting them to the MBSEF Board at their meeting tomorrow.  Hopefully, with enough reminders of what difference he makes in the skiing community, they might realize their mistake and change their minds.  Or at the very least, Ben’ll see how many people appreciate all that he’s done and are rooting for him.

This post was written by KO at 7:27 pm, Wednesday, December 17th, 2008, and is filed under "Uncategorized ". You can leave a response here, or send a Trackback from your own site.