U.S. Olympic Committee designates Waterville Valley Black and Blue Trail Smashers as Community Olympic Development Program

WATERVILLE VALLEY, NH November 6, 2015 – The Waterville Valley Black and Blue Trail Smashers Sports Educational Foundation has been selected by the United States Olympic Committee as a Community Olympic Development Program. WVBBTS – a premier snow sports training and competition center – is the first mountain sports organization in the eastern United States to receive the designation and is one of 15 CODPs nationwide.

Created by the USOC in 1998, the CODP partners with sport communities across the country to help enhance high quality, intermediate sports programs for talented youth, while maximizing their potential in Olympic and Paralympic sports. Since 1966, WVBBTS has provided accessible, family friendly snow sports programming, helping develop more than 25 U.S. Olympians in skiing and snowboarding.

“We are thrilled to receive the CODP designation,” said WVBBTS CEO Peter Stokloza. “This aligns WVBBTS with the U.S. Olympic Committee and other organizations that develop athletes in Olympic sports. This partnership will provide WVBBTS access to current resources, best practices and highly trained educators who will help our organization develop young athletes to their full potential. This alliance will keep the Olympic spirit alive in our community.”

“The USOC is pleased to welcome WVBBTS to its diverse portfolio of CODPs,” said Alicia McConnell, USOC director of training sites and community partnerships. “The center’s commitment to excellence and youth development is evident in their athletes’ success, both on and off the snow.”

As part of the CODP designation, WVBBTS will continue to provide leadership and guidance in helping athletes strive for elite performance in alpine racing, freestyle skiing and snowboarding. Through the partnership with the USOC, the center will have access to nutrition research, sport psychology, and programs that emphasize coaching techniques and athlete development. The goal of the partnership is to broaden interest and participation in skiing and snowboarding, while maximizing the program’s potential for Olympic athlete development.

"Congratulations to all WVBBTS families and staff on the designation as a Community Olympic Development Program,” said Wesley Preston, freestyle program director and former U.S. national team member. “The Olympics are about sportsmanship. They are about being the best that you can be. It is more about personal growth than it is about winning. This fits well with the mission of WVBBTS. I am proud to be a part of WVBBTS and the Olympic Movement."

“I'm very excited for our organization to become a larger part in the advancement of the Olympic Movement,” said Dan Shuffleton, WVBBTS freeskiing program director and 2014 U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association Freesking Domestic Coach of the Year.

“From Waterville Valley Resort's founding by two-time Olympian Tom Corcoran to the recent Olympians who have been trained by WVBBTS, the CODP designation continues a proud tradition,” said Pete Sununu, marketing and communications coordinator of Waterville Valley Resort. “We're excited to see WVBBTS recognized as a pillar of winter sports, not just in our community, but among world-class skiers and snowboarders.”

For more information about the USOC’s Community Olympic Development Program, visit TeamUSA.org/CODP.