McMurtry joins team at Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame

The Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame’s full time staff was recently enhanced with the addition of Board and Hall of Fame member John McMurtry as the organization’s vice president of development.  McMurtry began his new role on Aug. 2.

Formerly the lead development officer for Vail’s Steadman Philippon Research Institute since 1994, the Denver native managed the planning and execution of the fund development and institutional relations program for SPRI.  His programs provided a substantial portion of the institute’s operating, capital and endowment revenue.

“We are extremely excited to have John joining our team at the museum,” explained Susie Tjossem, executive director of the Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame. “Not only is John very familiar with our organization and its day to day operation, but he also brings an incredible history and passion for skiing to his new role that immediately shines through. He will be a great addition to the staff.”

From 1976-1984, McMurtry coached, developed and directed the U.S. Ski Team. During his tenure, the team won World Cup titles, Olympic medals and the first Nations Cup for any U.S. alpine team.

During his time at the ski team, McMurtry joined orthopedic surgeon Dr. J. Richard Steadman in South Lake Tahoe and resumed his work in sports medicine and science. Working with Dr. Steadman and his two partners, Topper Hagerman and John Atkins, the quartet founded S.P.O.R.T. Inc., a company focused on researching and developing innovative rehabilitation and injury prevention programs and projects.

In 1984, with just four months’ notice, the Park City Resort asked McMurtry to organize the first men’s and women’s alpine World Cup races held in the state of Utah. These races proved to be a showcase event for Utah’s bid to win the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. In 1986, McMurtry was invited by the late Bob Parker to be part of the first U.S. ski industry delegation to visit the People’s Republic of China.  He was inducted into the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame in 1995 and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame in 2014.

McMurtry was honored by Colorado Governor Richard Lamm and Denver Mayor W.H. McNichols Jr. on November 13, 1982, for his contributions to Colorado and skiing as the state officials proclaimed John McMurtry Day in Colorado. A 1973 graduate of the University of Denver (DU) in political science, McMurtry received his master’s from DU in sports science and physical education, while earning his M.B.A. in Business in 1993 from Westminster College in Salt Lake City.

The Colorado Snowsports Museum, located in the Vail Transportation Center, is currently under construction on a $2.4 million privately funded transformation that will refurbish the 24-year-old facility, add new exhibit space and modernize exhibits with interactive technology. Skiing and the 10th Mountain Division are the cornerstones of Vail’s history and success, which the museum preserves and celebrates year-round. The museum has been one of the favorite family-friendly visitor attractions in Vail for 41 years and, with these improvements, the museum will be the best and most comprehensive ski museum in the world.

Release from Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame