Director of Athletics Peter Fields (l) presents Dan Brelsford a framed collage of his time at MSU from his 1979 slalom championship race to his final run as head coach.
Brelsford Retires from Montana State Ski Program
10/24/2012 3:58:00 PM | Skiing
Dan Brelsford, a native of the Gallatin Valley, and whose name is synonymous with skiing success in the Rocky Mountain region and on a national scope, as well, has announced his retirement as director of skiing/head alpine coach at Montana State University.
Dan Brelsford, a native of the Gallatin Valley, and whose name is synonymous with skiing success in the Rocky Mountain region and on a national scope, as well, has announced his retirement as director of skiing/head alpine coach at Montana State University.
“I'm going to miss the daily interaction with the people that make Montana State University such a great place. I had three jobs and now I have two. I'm starting to get old and I have other things I want to do,” Brelsford said, the latter jokingly.
Brelsford consistently qualified athletes for the NCAA meet and was also instrumental in bringing the 1996, 1998, 2008 and 2012 NCAA Skiing Championships to Bozeman, Bridger Bowl and Bohart Ranch. He also played a role in securing the 1983 and 1985 national meets.
Brelsford coached four individual student-athletes to five NCAA All-America honors during his tenure at Montana State University, including: Liz Watkins, 1996; Suzan Dole, 2000; Spela Bertoncelj, 2006 (2); and Michael Radford, 2012. He also saw numerous athletes earn USCSCA all-academic recognition.
In addition, Brelsford had three squads rank in the top ten during his time with the Blue and Gold, including a seventh place showing in 2012, which was the program's top finish since the 1981 season.
Brelsford began his coaching career at MSU in 1984 and led the Bobcats to the National Collegiate Ski Association (NCSA) national championship in 1987. He also led seven skiers to All-America honors the same year. In 1994, he played a pivotal role re-establishing the MSU ski program that had been on a six-year hiatus due to budget cuts.
“Dan played an important role in the growth of the Bobcat ski program,” said MSU Athletics Director Peter Fields. “His student-athletes did an amazing job of excelling both on the ski hill and in the classroom. Words cannot describe what he has meant to the Bobcat ski program, both as a student-athlete and coach, for over the past 30 years.”
Prior to coaching at MSU in the mid 1980's, Brelsford served as a junior ski coach with the Jackson (WY) and Park City (UT) programs. From 1980-81, he raced on the United States Professional Ski Racing circuit, and placed fifth overall in 1980.
A three-time All-American, Brelsford skied collegiately at Montana State from 1977-79. During the 1978 season, he was the NCAA national champion in the slalom. In 1979, he placed third overall and led the Bobcats to the team slalom championship. In his three years as a collegiate skier, the 'Cats were a consistent top-ten finisher.
Brelsford was a member of the NCAA Ski Committee and served as director of competition for the 1996, 1998 and 2008 NCAA National Championships. He was inducted into the Wendy's of Montana/Montana State University Hall of Fame in 1990.
Luke Patterson, who served as Brelsford's assistant coach last season, will take over the Bobcat alpine program.
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