FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


January 8, 2025

North Star Ski Touring Club Presentation: Doug Edmonson

January 14, 2025 General Meeting Announcement

Speaker

Doug Edmonson, "Story of Norm Oakvik, co-founder of North Star Ski Touring Club".

The author of a newly published book, "The Inconspicuous Coach" (link) will tell stories of Norman Oakvik, a selfless Norwegian American who took time off each winter to help young skiers become champions. Norm Oakvik gave of himself for over 50 years, but he never took credit for these champions. He went on to coach countless North Star Ski Touring members and organized yearly lessons. He was the Inconspicuous Coach to many. Doug will briefly discuss the history of Minnesota Nordic skiing from the 1930s to 1980 and the state high school champions that became junior national, college, senior national champions and sometimes, Olympians and the coaches that helped them become great. It is also the story of Oakvik's fellow competitors and how they succeeded but also gave back to Nordic skiing. People like John Burton, Charlie Banks, Mike Marciniak, Norm Kragseth, Lars Kindem, and many others who gave of themselves. Some were high school coaches and some were just part of the small fraternity of Nordic skiers.

Schedule

  • 6:30pm: Social & Meet
  • 7:00pm: Club business and speaker 

Location