Former four-time NCAA champ Marolt to be inducted into CU Sports Hall of Fame

Bill Marolt, president and CEO of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association since 1996, will be inducted Oct. 12 into the University of Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. "It's going to be a great reunion," he said.

Marolt — a four-time NCAA ski champion, three-time U.S. alpine champion and 1964 Olympian while a student at CU in the 1960s (class of '67) — coached the Golden Buffaloes to seven consecutive NCAA ski titles (1972-78). He went on to become U.S. alpine director from 1978-84 (U.S. alpine skiers won a record five medals at the 1984 Olympics) and returned to CU as athletic director in '84.

Bill Marolt, president and CEO of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association since 1996, will be inducted Oct. 12 into the University of Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. "It's going to be a great reunion," he said.

Marolt — a four-time NCAA ski champion, three-time U.S. alpine champion and 1964 Olympian while a student at CU in the 1960s (class of '67) — coached the Golden Buffaloes to seven consecutive NCAA ski titles (1972-78). He went on to become U.S. alpine director from 1978-84 (U.S. alpine skiers won a record five medals at the 1984 Olympics) and returned to CU as athletic director in '84.

After 12 years, which included winning the national football championship in 1990 and two more NCAA ski championships, he returned to USSA in 1996. In the past decade, USSA has achieved its greatest success, including a record 10 Olympic medals in 2002 and again in '06 and 15 World Championships medals during the 2003 season.

Others being inducted into the CU hall include the 1959 Buffs ski team, the university's first national champion — including former Olympic cross-country skier Bob Gray and head coach Bob Beattie, who was named the first full-time U.S. Ski Team coach in 1965. In addition, former football coach Bill McCartney — who headed the 1990 national champion team and retired as the most successful coach in CU history — will be inducted, as will 1969 All-American tailback Bobby Anderson, four-time NCAA track champion Adam Goucher and, posthumously, former Sports Information Director Fred Casotti.

"This is quite an honor, and a nice acknowledgement from your peers … and any time your peers honor you, it's special and very satisfying," Marolt said. "The University of Colorado — for me, personally and professionally — provided me with an education and a career.

"I've said many times how McCartney had a great influence on me, so with Beattie and that '59 team, and the others, it's going to be a great reunion," he added, noting Casotti was manager of the 1964 Olympic team, which Marolt was a member of, and he made Casotti the special assistant to the AD when Marolt returned to CU in 1984. 

CU also provided Marolt with his wife of 40 years. Marolt met the future Connie Marolt when she was a CU sophomore. They married in 1966, have two grown daughters and a 2-year-old granddaughter, Gracie Beaudrie.