The history of the UCONN Ski Team much resembles a roller coaster ride, marked by constant change and development within the program. At one time, UCONN was much more designed for a ski team with the university ski slope behind the sheep barn east of Horsebarn Hill that opened in the 1960s. There were two rope tows, one for beginners and another for experienced skiers. Today, that slope is no longer in use, and the team’s nearest training hill is in Southington, Connecticut, approximately an hour from campus.

Beginning in the early 1970’s, the ski team was a Division I sport led by the original coach, John Catania.  The ski team, along with equestrian and rowing teams were created in response to Title IX. In the 1980’s, these three teams were then split off to form the club sports program due to university funding issues. In the late 1980’s, the men’s team qualified for regionals for the first time ever. Throughout the first three decades, there have been many notable names that helped grow the program to where it is today by defining what it means to be a Husky. Among those, Coach Phil Carabillo, Assistant Coach/Captain Phil Newberry, and Coach Buddy Wiedman helped tremendously to keep the program afloat. In between their presence, the student-athletes carried the program from year to year when a true head coach could not be attained, putting into action the definition of “club sport” here at UCONN, a student-run organization.

The last decade has brought much stability and even greater success. The UConn Ski Team was coached by Larry Gianatti from 2009-2015. He was captain of the team in 1977-78. Once a Husky, he just couldn’t stay away, and was pulled out of his ski “retirement” in 2009 when the now club sport UCONN Ski Team was in desperate need of a coach. It took Larry Gianatti just 3 years before he broke history and brought the first women’s team ever to the National Championships at Sunday River, Maine, in March of 2012. Two years later, the men’s team placed 4th  at the National Championships, the best result ever recorded at the USCSA Nationals by a club team. Coach Bruce Diamond took over the reigns coaching the Huskies in 2015. In his first year as coach, he led the men’s and women’s teams to nationals. The team has continued this success over the next few years and has continued successfully qualifying for Nationals every year. In the spring of 2019, Jeff Lagasse took over the head coaching position. Jeff was a UCONN Ski Team member graduating in 2009 and had been the assistant coach of the team since then. Both the men’s and women’s teams have improved tremendously under Jeff’s coaching.

In 2025, the men’s team delivered a standout performance at the USCSA Eastern Regional Championships, finishing first in the Giant Slalom for the first time since 2019, and third overall. In 2026, at the USCSA National Championships, the women’s team achieved a program-best performance, capturing the 2026 Slalom National Title, placing 4th in the Giant Slalom, and earning second place overall. These milestones represent the highest level of success in UCONN Ski Team history.

Being a club sport, the team has provided most of its funding personally, and has always appreciated Captain Phil Newberry’s (1976-77) yearly donation to the team, as well as all its other consistent alumni support. The team’s success wouldn’t have been possible, had it not been for the support of its alumni and fellow ski team members. Although the team has changed drastically through the years, one thing hasn’t changed: the alumni pride for the UCONN Ski Team and ski racing. Thanks to everyone past and present!