Colorado
Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame

Frank Penney
 
Inducted into the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame 2003
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Frank Penney presided over the ski jumping program at Winter Park for over 35 years. During his long career, he coached 13 National, F.I.S. and Olympic Team members. His enthusiasm, talents, and positive way of teaching helped to mold the character of countless other youngsters as they gained self-reliance, respect for others, and determination.   His best memories of ski jumping are of the joy he felt from watching his young charges grow from competitors to outstanding citizens.

Frank grew up in Grand Lake Colorado, where he put on his first pair of skis in 1932.   Two years later he won his first distance jumping competition at the Grand Lake School. During the 1940s –- with a timeout to serve in Europe during World War II –- he jumped in Class A events and was a 1949 Rocky Mountain Division combined winner. In 1965 he joined the Winter Park coaching staff.

It has been said that were it not for Frank’s inspiration and dedication many Nordic ski jumping programs in America would no longer exist. Thankfully, his legacy lives on through the many athletes and coaches who trained under him during their developmental years or joined his coaching staff from other programs.


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