MIKE GLASDER USASJ national team member, credits Norge Ski Club, its volunteers, and especially Scott Smith for creating a program that is developing great talent. |
Age 25
Norge Ski Club
Cary, IL
I grew up in the small suburban town of Cary, IL located a short drive from the Windy City, Chicago. My Dad Steve and his whole family lived and grew up in this town their entire lives. My Uncle John had begun ski jumping at the Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove and skied up until a few short years ago. My family has always been very involved in sports so seeing that we live right across the river from the Norge ski jump it was only fitting that I would try ski jumping for a winter activity at the young age of 5. Little did I know at the time that this amazing sport would take me places that I never would have thought possible.
LONELY at the TOP. Â SCOTT SMITH, has led a resurgence in numbers
 and talent at the Norge Ski Club.
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The trestle on Norge’s K70M once stood in Ely, MN. Â The club managed to getÂ
it dismantled, trucked 600 miles, and rebuilt!
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THE FUTURE is LOOKING BRIGHT for NORGE. |
As you can see the Norge Ski Club has changed quite a bit since I began ski jumping and is producing a lot of promising young talent for our beloved sport. All of these changes were made with the help of dedicated parents and club members and with a great coach- Scott Smith, who mentors the youths in the area. It’s important for enthusiasts of ski jumping and ex-athletes to give back to the sport to continue the progression and heritage of ski jumping within the Unites States. I have made countless lifelong friends both young and old within my time involved in the sport. A huge thanks to my parents, Scott, the Norge Ski Club, and all of the friends and coaches that have gotten me to where I am today. Let’s continue the great progression that USA Ski Jumping has made over the past few years and give back to the sport so that young kids today and in the future may have the great opportunities in ski jumping that I have had!
Editor’s notes-
Mike has long been a national treasure and just missed making the 2014 Olympic Team. Â He is competing this year in hopes of qualifying for the 2015 Nordic World Championships to be hosted by Falun, SWE.Â
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YOU NEED TO SEE THIS- To watch a really cool KFC ad that Mike did, click here
To see Mike’s USASJ bio, click here