November 14, 2000

When a person enters the room for the first time, Andy Hetzel always stands up to greet them with a handshake. When there’s one beer left in his fridge, Andy will first offer it to his friend. He does the same with the last of the tobacco, too. If you’re stuck somewhere late at night and need a ride or bail posted, you can count on Hetz. Chivalry is a rare quality in people these days.

Andy is a man who loves Circe Wallace, his friends, the NBA, snowboarding, surfing, skateboarding, snowmobiling, barbecuing, home improvements, motocross, and smut. In that order.

There’s nobody better at riding steeps switch than Hetz. If you don’t believe me, you should watch Andy’s parts in any of the Standard Film’s TB movies. Hetz has won mogul championships, freestyle/freeride championships, and numerous pipe contests. He jumped a train, and he’s jumped naked.

Basically, Andy rips. And even though I have better times than him at the Banked Slalom, I admire him as a snowboarder and a man.–David Sypniewski