ANCHORAGE (April 13) - University of Alaska Anchorage Head Ski Coach Paul Crews will retire from his position at UAA effective June 2. That announcement was made today by Dr. Steve Cobb, UAA Director of Athletics.
Crews, 52, has served with the UAA ski program since 1982. He was the team's Alpine coach from 1982-90, before being elevated to the head coaching position that year. During his tenure at UAA, the ski team has produced 52 All-Americans, 18 Academic All-Americans and has posted 17 consecutive top 10 finishes at the NCAA Championships.
"Although I have known Paul for only a short time, I have come to know that he is a legend among ski coaches both in Alaska and across the country," said Dr. Cobb. "He has rendered a tremendous service to the University and the community and for that we are profoundly grateful."
Said Crews of his announcement: "I wish to spend more time with my family and less time traveling. I will miss my good friends and associates at UAA, and the wonderful athletes I have worked with and learned from through the years. I will especially miss my fellow ski coaches. I will not be leaving skiing . Anchorage has many excellent programs for kids and I want to stay involved. I wish the Seawolf program all the best in the near future and beyond. I have great confidence in our athletic staff and Dr. Cobb. Steve has great ideas and is already making improvements for our sports."
A past chairman of the NCAA Skiing Rules Committee, Crews was instrumental in UAA being selected to host the 1987 NCAA Ski Championships and the upcoming 2002 Championships,
A 1966 graduate of West Anchorage High School, Crews was an All-American skier at Western State College in Colorado. A member of the U.S. Ski Team in 1971 and 1972, he as an active racer on the professional ski tour in 1973 and 1974 and later was a gold medal winnner at several National Masters Championships. Crews returned to Anchorage as head coach of the Alyeska Ski Club junior racing program from 1975-81 before joining the UAA staff.
Dr. Cobb said a search for Crews' replacement would begin soon.
