April 26, 2008

FAIRBANKS, AK- Scott Jerome, head coach for both Alaska's skiing and cross country running teams, has been appointed as a member of the NCAA Men's and Women's Skiing Committee. Jerome will begin his four-year term on the seven-person committee on September 1, 2008, and will serve through the 2011-2012 ski season.

As a member of the NCAA Skiing Committee, Jerome will be responsible for a number of duties relating to the world of collegiate skiing, including the selections of those who will participate in the NCAA Championships. The committee also reviews the sport's rules and regulation, discussing and analyzing what rule changes need to be made each year.

"Basically, on the committee, you are making sure that the sport of skiing is healthy and that it continues to grow," Jerome said. "Our job is two-fold: we are there to look out for the sport of skiing as a whole and to make sure that student-athlete's best interests are kept in mind."

Jerome, who will serve as one of two committee members representing Nordic skiing, replaces Michigan Tech's Joseph Haggenmiller as the NCAA committee's Division II representative.

Jerome becomes the third active Alaska staff member to serve on an NCAA Committee. Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance Pamm Hubbard was named to the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics last May, while rifle coach Dan Jordan currently serves on the NCAA Rifle Committee.

"Scott has done great things with our skiing and running programs over the past four years," athletic director Forrest Karr said. "His appointment gives the university a voice in the decision making that will influence the future of intercollegiate athletics. We are very fortunate to have passionate people like Scott, Pamm and Dan that are willing to serve and are dedicated to making a difference on a national level."

Under Jerome's guidance, the Alaska ski team has qualified a full team for the NCAA Championships in the last two seasons running. Jerome also guided the team to the CCSA championship in 2006, and helped Marius Korthauer claim a national championship in the 20K classic race this year.