Steadman honored with first USSA "Sosman Award"

Noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard Steadman, who has headed the USSA's renowned volunteer physicians' program over 30 years, was honored Saturday as the first recipient of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association's Dr. J. Leland Sosman Award. The award was presented by the USSA President and CEO Bill Marolt during the Team's spring medical summit meeting in Park City.
NOTED ORTHOPEDIC surgeon Dr. Richard Steadman, who has headed the USSA's renowned volunteer physicians' program over 30 years, was honored Saturday as the first recipient of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association's Dr. J. Leland Sosman Award. The award was presented by the USSA President and CEO Bill Marolt during the Team's spring medical summit meeting in Park City.
    The USSA's newly developed J. Leland Sosman Award is presented to a member of the USSA Physicians' Pool who has made great contributions as a volunteer medical provider. The award is named in honor of "Doc Sosman" for his endless commitment as a volunteer for the USSA. Doc Sosman was known for his energy, persistence and passion for USSA sports as an alpine official and technical delegate. The award recognizes that individual of the medical community who best exemplifies those traits.
    Sosman died April 3 at the age of 87. A New England native, Sosman was an alpine ski racing official who served the sport for more than 50 years at the domestic and international level. In his professional career, he was a noted radiologist in Boston.
    "Much of the success of our organization and our athletes stems from volunteers like Dr. Steadman and Doc Sosman who gladly give their time and resources to help young men and women achieve their goals," said Marolt. "Dr. Steadman has played a critical role in our sport for 30 years. Through his efforts, we now have hundreds of physicians who donate their time to ensure that our athletes have medical support worldwide."
    A native Texan, Steadman played football under the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant at Texas A&M. He opened an orthopedic practice in Lake Tahoe with an increasing emphasis on knee problems. In 1976, he was named chief physician for the U.S. Ski Team and helped develop surgical and rehab techniques that allowed many of the world's top skiers – including Phil and Steve Mahre, Tommy Moe, and Picabo Street – to resume their careers after major knee injuries. In 1989, his work was recognized with his election to the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame. In 1990, he joined with famed shoulder specialist Dr. Richard Hawkins to form the Steadman Hawkins Clinic and the Steadman Hawkins Research Foundation in Vail.
    One of the key accomplishments in his role with the team was providing early direction in the little known area of sport science and sports medicine. Today, the USSA's $1.4 million sport science program is considered the best in the world within the sport and one of the most important factors in the recent success of U.S. Ski Team and U.S. Snowboarding athletes.
    "Dr. Steadman is well known as a surgeon, but his leadership in the early days of our sport science program is one of the most important elements of his legacy with our sport," said Marolt. In addition to his medical role, Steadman also serves as a trustee of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team Foundation.
    "It's a real honor to be recognized with this award," said Steadman. "I always had great respect for Dr. Sosman. He gave his whole heart and soul to his volunteer work for athletes."