Hager to Head Moguls Team

PARK CITY, UT (May 30) – Veteran athlete and moguls coach Garth Hager has been named moguls head coach for the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team. Hager, who has served as an assistant coach for eight years, will take the reins from one of the most successful coaches in the history of the sport, Scott Rawles, who is stepping down after a 14 year coaching career with the U.S. Ski Team.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Veteran athlete and coach Garth Hager has been named moguls head coach for the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team.
• He will replace Scott Rawles, who steps down after 14 years coaching including the last eight years as head coach.
• In his tenure with the team, Rawles was one of the most accomplished coaches ever with four Olympic medals and Best in the World team performances in 2010, 2012 and 2013.
• Rawles also played a key role in the team of the future with his creation of the Young Guns talent identification program.
• Hager was a nine-year World Cup moguls athlete where he was a three-time World Championship team member and a World Cup winner.
• He started his coaching career from 2002-04 as head moguls coach at the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club.
• He went on to work ten years with the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team including the last eight as World Cup technical moguls coach and was the lead coach for Olympic champion Hannah Kearney.

QUOTES

Todd Schirman, USSA Freestyle Program Director
Under Scott Rawles’ leadership the last eight years, our athletes have achieved some of the greatest success in history. At the same time, he’s kept his eye on the future with the inception of our Young Guns program that is helping feed the development pipeline with new talent. Garth Hager will bring the experience and motivation to successfully move into the head mogul coach position. He brings 17 years of World Cup experience, success from two Olympic Games and an amazing following from the national team and development program athletes. Garth is revamping the program to secure continuing success for Moguls in the United States.

Garth Hager, Moguls Head Coach, U.S. Freestyle Ski Team
When I began with this program we had just one coach for the World Cup, two weeks of summer training and travelled with a television to watch video. We have come a long way. We are adding the elements to keep us progressing. My favorite quote is from my wife, "if you are going to go for it, go for it!"  It’s about determination and dedication through action. In taking over this program, I want to offer my thanks and congratulations to Scott Rawles for all he’s done to take our program to the top.