Ski coach named Coach of the Year

Sparta High School ski coach Rodney Calafati was named Coach of the Year at the New Jersey Interscholastic Ski Racing Association (NJISRA) year-end coaches dinner.

Both the boys and girls ski teams received Outstanding Sportsmanship Awards at the March event. This is the third year in a row that the teams have won the awards, which recognize the teams’ positive attitude, ethical behavior and respectful demeanor on and off the mountain.

“I want to thank each one of you for your dedication, hard work and commitment to our ski team,” Calafati told the team members. “You have demonstrated positive values of sportsmanship, and I look forward to seeing continued success in the future.”

The Coach of the Year award is voted on annually by all the head ski coaches. This is the second year in a row that Calafati won the title. He has coached the team for six years.

“Receiving this award from my peers is an honor that I truly embrace,” he said. “Being named Coach of the Year last season was most special and inspiring, and to receive this recognition again is simply mind-blowing. I am deeply grateful.

“Coaching alpine ski racing is my passion, and I’m incredibly fortunate to work with talented athletes year after year. This recognition motivates me to continue pushing the boundaries and striving for excellence in my coaching.”

He thanked the coaches who voted for him. “We have an incredible group of ski coaches in the NJISRA, all of whom deserve to be recognized for their leadership as well. I share this award with all the coaches that wow me every day, inspire me, and energize me, you are all awesome, and I am grateful to coach alongside you.”

When he is not coaching the Sparta High School alpine race team, Calafati is coaching at Stratton Mountain in Vermont, where he works as a VARA alpine race coach for the Stratton Winter Sports Club and as a professional ski instructor for Stratton Mountain Sports School. He is the founder of the Don’t Just Ski. RACE alpine summer and fall training camp programs.

Buffie Dobbs, president of the Sparta Ski Booster Club, said, “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Coach Calafati for this remarkable achievement. It is an honor for Sparta to have such an exceptional coach as part of our ski team, and we look forward to many more successful seasons under your guidance.“