NEWS RELEASE
TEAM HARDWOOD
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Jack Sasseville, Oro-Medonte resident and longtime cross-country ski coach at the local, provincial and national levels, has been chosen as a 2023 inductee into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame.
Jack is being inducted in the coaching category, as a recognition of his almost 50 years as a coach, leader and builder in cross-country skiing in the local community, provincially, nationally, and internationally.
Jack will join former inductees who include Olympic and World Cup medallists such as Pierre Harvey and Beckie Scott, and coaches and builders who have contributed to the development of snow sports in Canada.
His induction will occur in Montreal on Nov. 17, 2023.
Jack’s career in cross country skiing began as a coach in Manitoba in 1975 and by 1979 he was coaching the national team.
His career highlights include:
- 48 years in cross country ski coaching
- National Team Coach for 13 years
- Team Canada Coach at four Olympic games, three World Championships, eight Junior World Championships and multiple World Cups.
- Commentator for five Olympic Games along-side CBC’s Scott Russell, including a Gemini nomination
- Coach of athletes who have won over 300 medals at National Championships
Jack is a fixture in the local cross-country ski community. He founded Team Hardwood in 1995 and after some time as an investor and general manager at Hardwood Ski and Bike, he returned to coaching Team Hardwood in 2017. When informed of his selection,
Jack commented: “I am humbled by this recognition. I am thankful to the people that nominated me, those that supported the nomination and to all the athletes,
coaches, parents and teams that have allowed me to share my love of cross-country skiing with them. This truly is the highest honour of my life.”
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