US Skiing Names New CEO

PARK CITY, Utah -- Bill Marolt, a 1964 Olympian who was U.S. alpine skiing director during one of the U.S. Ski Team's most successful years before taking over as Univ. of Colorado athletic director, was named Wednesday (July 17) as president and chief executive officer (CEO) of U.S. Skiing.

Marolt, 52, replaces Tim Leiweke, who left U.S. Skiing in April to become president of the National Hockey League's Los Angeles Kings. Marolt and his family will move from Boulder, Colo. to Park City in the near future.

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead U.S. Skiing and look forward to the many challenges which we'll face," said Marolt. "The years between now and the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City offer tremendous opportunity to achieve significant success and the continued development of U.S. Skiing as a leader in the international ski and snowboard community."

"We're very excited about the opportunity for U.S. Skiing under Bill Marolt," said U.S. Skiing Chairman Nick Badami. "Bill brings a strong background in our sport, plus more than a decade of leading one of the strongest intercollegiate athletic programs in America."

After growing up in Aspen, Colo., Marolt raced for the Univ. of Colorado and competed in the 1964 Olympics. He also won three U.S. championships -- the 1963 downhill title, slalom in 1964 and the giant slalom title in 1965.

Following his retirement as an athlete in 1968, he returned to Colorado as head ski coach in 1969, winning seven NCAA titles from 1969-78. He then served as director of the U.S. alpine program from 1978-84. U.S. skiers won five medals, including three gold and two silver, at the '84 Winter Games in Sarajevo. At the end of the 1984 season, Marolt resigned to accept the athletic director's post at his alma mater. Under Marolt, the Buffaloes have put together one of the strongest Division I collegiate sports programs, including a national football title (1990) and several NCAA ski championships.

Since leaving in 1984, Marolt has remained close to the U.S. Ski Team as a member of its board of trustees.

Marolt, who met with U.S. Skiing staff Wednesday, will start full-time Sept. 1 in Park City. In the interim he will transition from the Univ. of Colorado as well as beginning his responsibilities with U.S. Skiing.