Featured image: Burke Mountain Academy Racer

Press release provided by Burke Mountain Academy

Ambitious Fundraising Initiative to Propel Leading Ski Racing Academy into New Era. 

EAST BURKE, Vt. (May 13, 2024) – Burke Mountain Academy (BMA) has officially launched its $30 million “Chasing Greatness: Win from Within” campaign. This transformative initiative represents some of BMA’s most ambitious work yet and a bold vision to redefine what’s possible for alpine ski racing development and education. 

Since its founding in 1970, BMA has upheld a commitment to championing ski racers chasing greatness. The campaign will empower BMA to elevate this longstanding mission through innovative programming, facility upgrades, and increased academic resources. The campaign’s primary focus and top priority is to expand access to BMA through increased financial assistance by significantly growing its endowment. 

“For over 50 years, Burke Mountain Academy has stayed true to its calling of helping students define their values, instilling a strong work ethic and the resilience necessary to find the greatness that exists within themselves so they may lead personally meaningful lives,” said Head of School Willy Booker ’96. “The Chasing Greatness Campaign is our chance to honor that commitment while raising the bar on the total student experience. This is Burke’s defining moment to truly reshape what’s possible for every student.” 

Key priorities and initiatives made possible by the $30 million campaign include

● Significantly growing BMA’s endowment to provide financial aid and increased accessibility 

● Investing in campus facilities, academic resources, and professional development

● Lowering the cost of Junior Program participation 

● Expanding European programs and partnerships

With approximately $20 million already secured from BMA’s Board of Trustees, alumni, and key supporters, the campaign has gained tremendous momentum. This historic investment will allow BMA to uphold its standing as the leading institution for developing world-class ski racers while opening doors for talented student-athletes from all backgrounds. 

“At its core, Chasing Greatness represents our belief that we should leave no stone unturned in our efforts to achieve our full potential as a school and athletic development program. We are committed to doing everything that we can to strive for excellence program-wide while endeavoring to ensure that access to BMA is available to the most deserving student-athletes. This campaign will help us achieve both of those goals simultaneously, which are typically in opposition to each other.” said Booker. 

Burke Mountain Academy’s comprehensive campaign components, progress, and ways to support will be shared in detail at www.burkemtnacademy.org/donate/chasing-greatness. 

For more information, contact Jenny Bruell Fisher ‘01, Director of Advancement, at jbruellfisher@burkemtnacademy.org. 

About Burke Mountain Academy

Founded in 1970, Burke Mountain Academy (BMA) is a coed boarding school for elite ski racers in East Burke, Vermont. With a student body of approximately 70 students in grades 9-12, BMA is the first ski academy of its kind, yielding more than 154 National Ski Team members and 37 Olympians and earning the reputation as one of the top ski academies in the world. Burke Mountain Academy provides passionate ski racers the opportunity to pursue their limitless academic and athletic potential in a community based on trust. It embraces an ethos in which hard work is held in the highest esteem and believes that risking failure and learning from success are exceptional preparations for life beyond Burke. www.burkemtnacademy.org