FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Copper Country's Mike Young Named Ski Coach Of The Year

The Great Lakes Winter Trails Council (formerly The Great Lakes Nordic Ski Council) has named Mike Young of Hancock, Michigan the “2007 Ski Coach of the Year.” Mike Young (Coach Mike) received this special award and recognition because of the countless hours that he has dedicated to promoting cross country skiing in the Great Lakes Region.

Coach Mike and his wife Christine became involved with the newly formed Copper Country Ski Tiger program when their daughter Amber joined the club in 1995, and they grew into active
participants over the next few years through the encouragement of Beth and Russell Reid. Coach Mike and Christine presided as co-directors of Ski Tigers from 2000-2003 during which time the program grew from 60 members to over 100 skiers from age 5-18.

When Amber started high school and showed continued interest in racing at the junior level, Coach Mike became more involved in coaching competitive skiers. Starting in 2002 he worked part time to train a small group of high school skiers with the idea of entering a Ski Tiger team in the Michigan State High School Championships. With the vision and energy of close friend and fellow coach Doug Oppliger, they started a sustainable ski-racing program for juniors in the Keweenaw. Since then the Ski Tigers have generated 5 High School State Champion Girls Teams in a row (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008), a High School State Champion Boys Team in 2007 and Overall High School Team Champions in 2006, 2007 and 2008. In addition, the program has produced the Michigan High School Girls Individual Champions in 2006, 2007 and 2008. The Ski Tigers also boasted a USSA All-American Skier during the 2007 Junior Olympics! Five talented Copper Country Ski Tigers are currently in Anchorage, Alaska competing with the top junior skiers from throughout the USA at The Junior Olympics.

The Copper Country Ski Tigers junior racing program provides year-round training opportunities to young athletes wishing to pursue competitive cross-country skiing at all levels.
Website: www.keweenawtrails.com/skitigers

Congratulations Coach Mike!

Coach Mike is also the software development manager at ThermoAnalytics, Inc.

Christine is an artist and the manager of Keweenaw Brewing Company.

Amber attends Montana State and while skiing for the Copper Country Ski Tigers during high school qualified for numerous Junior Olympics (Junior National Championships) held annually at world class venues - including The Junior Olympics held in Lake Placid, Lake Tahoe and Houghton, Michigan.

The Great Lakes Winter Trails Council members include the leading cross country ski areas and supporting business dedicated to promoting cross country skiing and winter trail use in the Great Lakes Region.

For more information please contact Pete Edwards, Chairman of the Great Lakes Winter Trails Council’s “Coach of the Year” Nominating Committee.