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University of New Hampshire Athletics
Cory Schwartz encourages Jazmine Lyons at 2024 Middlebury Carnival (Photo by Steve Fuller, FlyingPoint)
Photo by: @flyingpoint
Cory Schwartz Announces Retirement
4/22/2024 11:00:00 AM | Skiing
Ski coordinator, Nordic head coach and former student-athlete was with program since 1978
DURHAM, N.H. – Cory Schwartz '82, whose name has been synonymous with UNH skiing for 46 years, first as a student-athlete and then as Nordic head coach and program coordinator, will retire at the end of the school year, Director of Athletics Allison Rich announced Monday.
Schwartz, a native of Center Conway, N.H., spent 42 years as the men's and women's Nordic head coach and 37 years as the coordinator of both the alpine and Nordic programs for his alma mater. During his tenure, Schwartz led the Wildcats to 31 Top-10 NCAA placements, including eighth place in 2024 and a program-best sixth place in 2022.
"Cory Schwartz has done everything in his power as an alumnus, recruiter, coach, and fundraiser to make UNH Skiing one of the top programs in the country, and we congratulate him on his well-earned retirement," Rich said. "His student-athletes consistently perform at the highest levels athletically and academically, and through his passion and outstanding outreach efforts, the energized UNH ski alumni and friends take a backseat to no one when it comes to philanthropic efforts aimed at lifting the program to even greater heights."
Former UNH ski coach Paul E. Berton, who oversaw the program from 1976-90, often cites his first-ever recruiting phone call as his most important call: it went to Schwartz.
"I never imagined when I started coaching in 1982 that I'd be here 42 years later," Schwartz said. "I am grateful to have been a coach for that long, let alone with the UNH Ski Team. I am honored to have been involved with one of the best programs in the country and working at such a great institution. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all ski alumni, parents, friends, and past/present coaches who I have worked with and met over my time coaching. I am proud of all the growth and accomplishments of current/former skiers and coaching staff, including the numerous All-Americans, Olympians, and current head coaches at other elite programs."
"My pride also extends to all of my skiers as they have excelled in their own right in their time after UNH," Schwartz continued. "The support that the team has received over the years has formed this program into a UNH Ski family, and I hope everyone continues their support of the team to maintain our status of being one of the premier collegiate ski programs. I would also like to extend my thanks to Allison for her support over my last two seasons."
In his 42 years at the helm, Schwartz mentored 46 student-athletes to a total of 64 All-America Team selections, capped by women's Nordic graduate student Luci Anderson (Golden Valley, Minn./Second Team) and men's alpine sophomore Isac Hedström (Are, Sweden/First Team) last month in Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Schwartz, working alongside alpine head coach Brian Blank '95 for the past 17 seasons, hosted the hugely successful UNH Ski Sale fundraiser each October, and he has galvanized an alumni base and Friends' group that annually leads not just UNH Athletics, but all entities across campus, in the University's signature fundraiser, The (603) Challenge. The ski program once again ranked No. 1 in overall gifts and total money raised during the 10th anniversary edition earlier this month.
As a member of the UNH ski team from 1978-82, Schwartz competed in the NCAA Championships three times, headlined by his top performance during his junior season when he placed 10th. He began coaching the men's squad in a post-graduate year and took over duties for the women's team the following season.
The Cory Schwartz Era
Honors
2014, Profile of Service Award from UNH Alumni Association
1988, Al Merrill Award for outstanding contributions to XC skiing in the state of New Hampshire
EISA Coach of the Year (5 times)
1985, 1986, 2002, 2003, 2015
National Champions (3)
Patrick Weaver 1998
Scott Doughty 1998
Nancy Gustafson 1988
Olympians (15)
Tim Baucom, Coach 2018, 2022
Rex Bell, Coach 1988
Cameron Chin 2014
Clare Egan 2018, 2022
Kelly Milligan 1984
Andrew Morehouse, Coach 2018, 2022
Patty Ross-Tran 1984
Leanne Smith 2010
Annika Taylor (UK) 2018
Robel Teklemariam 2006
Patrick Weaver 1998, 2002
UNH Hall of Famers (6)
Vèronique Archambault-Lèger 2010
Greg Blaisdell 2003
Maria Hassett 1994
Nancy Gustafson 1988
Jill Sickels Matlock 1986
Kelly Milligan 1986
Jim Urquhart Student-Athletes of the Year (6)
Greg Blaisdell 2003
Sean McNamara 2009
Vèronique Archambault-Lèger 2010
Coley Oliver 2015
Emma Woodhouse 2020
Scott Schulz 2023
NCAA Elite 89/90 Award
Liz Guiney 2013
Lisa Olsson 2021, 2023
NCAA Championships Hosted (6)
1984, 1992, 1995, 2007, 2017, 2021
Philanthropic Impact
•In October 2015, as part of the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Friends of UNH Skiing, the Cory L. Schwartz '82 Ski Team Endowment was established by Howie Bean '78, Paul Berton, Byron "Buzz" Davis '75, Nathaniel '81 and Marianne Lucy '83 and Josiah Miles '87. The ski program was eliminated as a varsity sport at the University in 1975. A dedicated group of team members, coaches, alumni, parents, and friends created the Friends of UNH Skiing to rally supporters to take action that led to the reinstatement of the program the following year.
•Thanks to a $2 million gift over five years from former team captain Tom Putnam, fundraising for a ski facility to benefit the next generation of Wildcat skiers was launched in December 2022. The facility will have locker rooms and lounges for the men's and women's alpine and Nordic ski teams at the Field House as well as a waxing room and storage for equipment.
About UNH Athletics
UNH Athletics is committed to providing an outstanding student-athlete experience and fostering NCAA Division I teams that are a source of pride for the University community, the State of New Hampshire, and UNH alumni across the globe. UNH Athletics creates and sustains a culture committed to integrity, inclusion, respect, civic engagement, leadership, and academic achievement. These values are embedded in the pursuit of athletic excellence and contribute to an extraordinary student-athlete experience.
UNH Athletics is committed to supporting every team and student-athlete with the goal of competing for conference and national championships, and with an uncompromising resolve to achieve athletic, academic, and personal excellence.
Schwartz, a native of Center Conway, N.H., spent 42 years as the men's and women's Nordic head coach and 37 years as the coordinator of both the alpine and Nordic programs for his alma mater. During his tenure, Schwartz led the Wildcats to 31 Top-10 NCAA placements, including eighth place in 2024 and a program-best sixth place in 2022.
"Cory Schwartz has done everything in his power as an alumnus, recruiter, coach, and fundraiser to make UNH Skiing one of the top programs in the country, and we congratulate him on his well-earned retirement," Rich said. "His student-athletes consistently perform at the highest levels athletically and academically, and through his passion and outstanding outreach efforts, the energized UNH ski alumni and friends take a backseat to no one when it comes to philanthropic efforts aimed at lifting the program to even greater heights."
Former UNH ski coach Paul E. Berton, who oversaw the program from 1976-90, often cites his first-ever recruiting phone call as his most important call: it went to Schwartz.
"I never imagined when I started coaching in 1982 that I'd be here 42 years later," Schwartz said. "I am grateful to have been a coach for that long, let alone with the UNH Ski Team. I am honored to have been involved with one of the best programs in the country and working at such a great institution. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all ski alumni, parents, friends, and past/present coaches who I have worked with and met over my time coaching. I am proud of all the growth and accomplishments of current/former skiers and coaching staff, including the numerous All-Americans, Olympians, and current head coaches at other elite programs."
"My pride also extends to all of my skiers as they have excelled in their own right in their time after UNH," Schwartz continued. "The support that the team has received over the years has formed this program into a UNH Ski family, and I hope everyone continues their support of the team to maintain our status of being one of the premier collegiate ski programs. I would also like to extend my thanks to Allison for her support over my last two seasons."
In his 42 years at the helm, Schwartz mentored 46 student-athletes to a total of 64 All-America Team selections, capped by women's Nordic graduate student Luci Anderson (Golden Valley, Minn./Second Team) and men's alpine sophomore Isac Hedström (Are, Sweden/First Team) last month in Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Schwartz, working alongside alpine head coach Brian Blank '95 for the past 17 seasons, hosted the hugely successful UNH Ski Sale fundraiser each October, and he has galvanized an alumni base and Friends' group that annually leads not just UNH Athletics, but all entities across campus, in the University's signature fundraiser, The (603) Challenge. The ski program once again ranked No. 1 in overall gifts and total money raised during the 10th anniversary edition earlier this month.
As a member of the UNH ski team from 1978-82, Schwartz competed in the NCAA Championships three times, headlined by his top performance during his junior season when he placed 10th. He began coaching the men's squad in a post-graduate year and took over duties for the women's team the following season.
The Cory Schwartz Era
Honors
2014, Profile of Service Award from UNH Alumni Association
1988, Al Merrill Award for outstanding contributions to XC skiing in the state of New Hampshire
EISA Coach of the Year (5 times)
1985, 1986, 2002, 2003, 2015
National Champions (3)
Patrick Weaver 1998
Scott Doughty 1998
Nancy Gustafson 1988
Olympians (15)
Tim Baucom, Coach 2018, 2022
Rex Bell, Coach 1988
Cameron Chin 2014
Clare Egan 2018, 2022
Kelly Milligan 1984
Andrew Morehouse, Coach 2018, 2022
Patty Ross-Tran 1984
Leanne Smith 2010
Annika Taylor (UK) 2018
Robel Teklemariam 2006
Patrick Weaver 1998, 2002
UNH Hall of Famers (6)
Vèronique Archambault-Lèger 2010
Greg Blaisdell 2003
Maria Hassett 1994
Nancy Gustafson 1988
Jill Sickels Matlock 1986
Kelly Milligan 1986
Jim Urquhart Student-Athletes of the Year (6)
Greg Blaisdell 2003
Sean McNamara 2009
Vèronique Archambault-Lèger 2010
Coley Oliver 2015
Emma Woodhouse 2020
Scott Schulz 2023
NCAA Elite 89/90 Award
Liz Guiney 2013
Lisa Olsson 2021, 2023
NCAA Championships Hosted (6)
1984, 1992, 1995, 2007, 2017, 2021
Philanthropic Impact
•In October 2015, as part of the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Friends of UNH Skiing, the Cory L. Schwartz '82 Ski Team Endowment was established by Howie Bean '78, Paul Berton, Byron "Buzz" Davis '75, Nathaniel '81 and Marianne Lucy '83 and Josiah Miles '87. The ski program was eliminated as a varsity sport at the University in 1975. A dedicated group of team members, coaches, alumni, parents, and friends created the Friends of UNH Skiing to rally supporters to take action that led to the reinstatement of the program the following year.
•Thanks to a $2 million gift over five years from former team captain Tom Putnam, fundraising for a ski facility to benefit the next generation of Wildcat skiers was launched in December 2022. The facility will have locker rooms and lounges for the men's and women's alpine and Nordic ski teams at the Field House as well as a waxing room and storage for equipment.
About UNH Athletics
UNH Athletics is committed to providing an outstanding student-athlete experience and fostering NCAA Division I teams that are a source of pride for the University community, the State of New Hampshire, and UNH alumni across the globe. UNH Athletics creates and sustains a culture committed to integrity, inclusion, respect, civic engagement, leadership, and academic achievement. These values are embedded in the pursuit of athletic excellence and contribute to an extraordinary student-athlete experience.
UNH Athletics is committed to supporting every team and student-athlete with the goal of competing for conference and national championships, and with an uncompromising resolve to achieve athletic, academic, and personal excellence.
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