 The Terry Smith Award is for long term
service within the intramural racing programs. As such this candidate is
an excellent choice. Mark Hanlon has been the Schusski Race League
Chairman since the 1991-1992 season. He stepped in and has been working
since to increase the viability of small league racing.
By combining racing events and promoting
other leagues' events, he has expanded the competitive level for the
higher hill racers and offered more opportunities for all classes. He
tested the concept of the Legend class and continues to help explore new
concepts. In 1998 he helped assemble the data to create the 1999 Rule
Changes. He continues to strive for accurate handicaps so Schusski
racers may race competitively. By sharing responsibilities and
management skills with Inland, both leagues have had an overall better
program.
In 1994 he found sponsorship in the form
of an ice cream company, thus giving Schusski and Inland new race bibs.
This sponsorship money was also shared with the then California
Handicapped Skiers.
Using the Schusski Chairman award as an
example, he worked to establish an award for the FWRA Finals and the
Roma McCoy Trophy was instituted. Sponsored by Mammoth Mountain since
1993 which continues to fund the yearly trophies, this award is given to
the League with the highest points per racer start. This coveted award
is presented at the FWSA Convention as part of the FWRA Finals Program.
Since 1992 he has served as co-chairman
of the SICO Event. SICO is the small league championship held annually
in March at Mammoth Mountain. San Diego, Inland, Central and Orange
(Schusski) are the leagues that actively participate. The format is
based on the FWRA Championship Finals with individual medals awarded
daily and a combination of league points producing the winner on Sunday.
He has worked on the FWRA Board as a
League Chairman and more recently as Web Master of the FWRA Website
established in 1999. One of his goals is to provide race results within
a week or less of the event.
Mark Hanlon has encouraged all of the
Schusski League clubs with programs within the clubs. He has worked to
educate prospective racers to the fact that racing improves skiing
ability and skiing confidence. Wherever he goes, be it FWSA Ski Week,
Lake Louise as Male Racer of the Week, or Finals, or just a regular race
weekend, he is willing to help anyone find out about the fun of club
racing as part of the FWRA program. |
