University of Massachusets Athletics
Igor Vanovac Named Head Ski Coach
January 23, 2002 | Men's Ski
Jan. 23, 2002
AMHERST, Mass. -- The University of Massachusetts has announced the hiring of Igor Vanovac as men's and women's ski coach. Vanovac comes to Amherst after spending the previous two years at the helm of the Mount Snow (Vt.) race training center.
A native of Yugoslavia, Vanovac was a member of the Yugoslavia national team and competed in the 1992 Winter Olympic in Albertville, France. Vanovac has also competed in national and World Cup races throughout his career.
Before coming to the United States, Vanovac served as the coach of both the Australian Alpine Institute's Mt. Buller Race Club as well as New Zealand Queenstown's Alpine Ski team. In his two years at the Australian Alpine Institute, Vanovac established and supervised a ski and dryland program, supervised psychological sessions, worked with sponsors and communicated with parents, in addition to performing administrative duties. In New Zealand, Vanovac spent two years in charge of all advertising, budgeting, equipment reports, fundraising, public relations, purchasing and recruitment associated with the Queenstown Alpine Ski team. He received both international and national recognition for both jobs.
Vanovac becomes only the third head ski coach in the University's 71-year racing history. He succeeds William MacConnell, who served as head coach for the previous 40 seasons. MacConnell will remain as an assistant on Vanovac's staff to insure a smooth transition. Larry Briggs, UMass' first coach, directed the men's ski team from 1931 through 1960.
Vanovac currently resides in Amherst, and is pursuing his undergraduate degree from the University's Without Walls program.
