PSIA-NW Technical Team Update
A New Team and Thanks to Calvin and Roger
BY NICK MCDONALD PSIA-NW TECHNICAL TEAM HEAD COACH  

Here is the latest on the Team. Tryouts were held at Stevens Pass March 17, 18 and 19. Tryouts are held every two years where half of the team members try out. Members are on the team for a four-year rotation. For example, “Elvis” and three other teammates would be on the team from 2006-2010, and “Jimmy Hendricks”, along with the other three teammates would be on the team from 2008-2012. This rotation process helps solve the attrition issue and helps keep the team fresh.

At Stevens Pass, Stan Aunan, Linda Cowan, Kate Morrell and Tyler Barnes made the team. Stan, Linda and Kate are returning team members and Tyler is in his first term. The tryout was very competitive and all the participants performed well.

On the other side of the team’s rotation are Rick Lyons, RJ Nichoalds, Terry McLeod and Karin Harjo. The coaching staff is Nick McDonald, Lane McLaughlin and Dave Lyon. You may also know Dave from the PSIA National Demo Team. You can see more of the PSIA-NW Technical Team at www.psia-nw.org.

Calvin Yamamoto At the 2006 Symposium at Mission Ridge, Calvin was presented a service award from the PSIA-NW Technical Team. For those of you who might not know Calvin “Yogi” Yamamoto, it is an unfortunate thing. He is truly an incredible guy. Calvin has been one of the more influential folks, not only in our division, but on a national level as well. He has been involved with the Technical team since 1982 and on the coaching staff since 1986. He led the team as head coach for over a decade until retiring in 2004. He was the PSIA national education chair, helped write some of the PSIA manuals and helped choose two PSIA National Demo Teams as well. He has also been our Education VP, a PSIA/AASI-NW board member, examiner and DCL. In a nutshell, Calvin has just about done it all. And has done it well!

Calvin is still very much involved in PSIA and our division. He, along with Chris “Mr. T” Thompson is a mentor of the Technical Team. Calvin also is also very active in the certification program. He is always willing and able to contribute toward the development of PSIA/AASINW. We are very fortunate to have Calvin on our “Team”. Thanks Yog!

Roger Taggart Roger was also presented a service award from the PSIA-NW Technical Team. Like Calvin, Roger has also done so much for our division. Roger retires as a coach this year after more than ten years of involvement. Making the team just after the “stretch pants” era, he quickly developed as a leader amongst the team and in the division. He was also the Technical VP for nine years, developing that program to serve the training directors of the Northwest schools. He has been the director of 49 Degrees North and Mt. Bachelor Ski and Snowboard schools and is currently having great success as the Program Director and Head Coach for the race program (SARS) at Schweitzer Mountain.

Roger is an examiner and DCL and with others has been an integral part in helping shape the certification process. Like Calvin and Mr. T, the Technical Team will still look for Roger’s skill and direction as his time allows. We would like to thank Roger for all he has done and is going to do. Thanks Roger!