UMaine Farmington hires new head alpine coach

The University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) hired alumnus Andrew Willihan as its new head alpine ski coach and outdoor recreation coordinator.

“We are thrilled to have Andrew back on campus in this role where I know he will help us excel on all fronts he is engaged with,” said UMF Director of Athletics, Fitness, and Recreation Julie Davis. “This position presents us with the opportunity to further develop our ski racing and outdoor recreation programs while also supporting the newly launched Alpine Operations academic program. The synergy with these programs is strategic and Andrew’s credentials and enthusiasm make him a great fit, who will complement the efforts of Alpine Ops Coordinator Scott Hoisington, along with UMF Fitness and Recreation Director and founder of Mainly Outdoors, Jim Toner.”

A 2006 graduate of UMF, Willihan returns to his alma mater after spending the past decade in the ski industry, primarily as a coach. He served in numerous roles at Carrabasset Valley Academy (CVA), including head U14/U16 alpine coach and head U16 women’s coach for the past two seasons resulting in three U16 National Championship qualifiers and a U.S. Ski Team National Training Group member. In 2015, Willihan qualified a total of 10 athletes to the U14 CanAm event.

“Andrew’s vast coaching experience will allow the UMF Alpine ski program to progress to the next level in eastern and national United Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) racing,” Hoisington added. “We are excited to help our student-athletes on the alpine team reach their potential next winter.”

As the outdoor recreation coordinator, Willihan will both lead and assist in the continued development and delivery of Mainely Outdoors, the University’s four-season outdoor recreation programming that operates under the UMF Fitness and Recreation Center umbrella. He will work closely with Toner and other resources on campus and in the region to build on the foundation to deliver diverse outdoor recreation and adventure experiences for students, faculty, staff and members of the community.

Willihan’s outdoor education experience is also extensive and includes working as a boating director at Wavus Camps in Jefferson, Maine, for three years, managing the staff, maintaining over 25 boats, and leading overnight canoe and kayak trips. As an ALPS team member at CVA from 2000-02, he was part of a backcountry team that traveled across the country and Europe on winter trips. Willihan also volunteered as a deckhand and logistics officer with Outward Bound Hurricane (OBH) Island and organized up to 21-day trips for 20 students with OBH.

Willihan holds certifications as a USSA Alpine Coach (Level 300), USSA Skills Quest Evaluator, and USSA Alpine Official (Referee-2). Willihan is the chairman of the Maine Alpine Racing Association Children’s Committee and sits on the Eastern Children’s Committee.

Release from University of Maine at Farmington