The University of Connecticut Ski Team has a rich and storied history, which began in the 1970s with both a men’s and women’s team. The team is currently coached by Jeff Lagasse. Coach Lagasse is a former Husky and UCONN Ski Team member who graduated in 2009 and has been coaching since. Jeff has witnessed the program’s transformation from a truly student-run club team, with no coach during the 2007-2008 season and no postseason berths, to competing at the highest level of competition in the USCSA with the team’s routine presence at nationals. Throughout his time with the ski team, he has played an integral role in developing and fostering a positive, success-driven environment at UCONN. Not only is Jeff developing strong ski racers, but he is also helping shape well-rounded young adults prepared for life beyond college.
The University of Connecticut Ski Team is a club team and is funded by the Undergraduate Student Government. The team also receives extensive support from its extended Alumni network, as well as family and friends, through generous donations of time and money. Since 2019, UCONN has proudly called the Mount Washington Valley (Wildcat Mountain and Attitash Mountain) their home training base during a month-long winter training camp of winter break. This relationship with these storied skiing destinations has provided valuable opportunities to elevate the Huskies ski racing. During the semester while school is in session, the team trains at Mount Southington midweek, and typically holds additional training at the upcoming race venue towards the end of the week. The regular season races begin during the winter break training camp and continues through February, providing the team ample time on snow.
The UCONN Ski Team competes in the MacConnell Division of the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA), the sports federation for collegiate team ski racing in America. The USCSA includes nearly 200 colleges and universities and approximately 5,000 student-athletes compete nationwide. The organization generally follows NCAA guidelines for eligibility and competition structure.
The MacConnell Division regular season consists of 10 races. In recent seasons, the division has operated and scored all races under International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) rules. At the conclusion of the regular season, the top five men’s and women’s teams qualify to compete at the USCSA Eastern Regional Championships. From there, the top five men’s and women’s teams from the Regional Championships advance to compete at the USCSA National Championships. The MacConnell Division has traditionally been one of the most dominant and competitive divisions in the USCSA, consistently sending most, if not all, of the teams from the Regional Championships to the National Championship.
The MacConnell Division consists of colleges and universities from the Northeast and is part of the Eastern Conference of USCSA. Member institutions include the University of Connecticut, Babson College, Brown University, University of Massachusetts, Vermont State University-Castleton, Clarkson University, St. Anselm College, and New England College. The Division is named in honor of Bill MacConnell, the longtime head coach at the University of Massachusetts and a significant contributor to collegiate ski racing in the region.