The BSF Alpine Team is planning for a robust 2020-21 season. Two veteran BSF coaches will serve as co-directors of the Alpine program this season: LaRue Seitz-Dettori and Kenny Wilson. And we have some role changes and a new hire for several other positions, as well.
LaRue was born and raised in Montana and calls Livingston her hometown. She grew up skiing at Bridger and raced for four years at The College of Idaho. After graduating in 2009 with a degree in Biology and Education, she moved back to Livingston. When LaRue returned to Montana, she started coaching for BSF. When she isn’t coaching, she is busy raising her two kids, Erik and Eleanor. In the summers you will find them rafting the Yellowstone River, camping and enjoying all that Montana has to offer. In addition to spending time on the Yellowstone for fun, LaRue and her husband Matt operate Sleeping Giant Tours, scenic rafting trips.
Kenny grew up skiing for Squaw Valley Ski Team and raced on the FIS circuit around the U.S., Europe and New Zealand. He then continued on racing Division 1 for Colby-Sawyer College for all 4 years. He graduated in 2017 with a BA in environmental studies and a business minor. He moved out to Montana and joined the coaching staff at BSF in 2018. Outside of skiing you will probably find Kenny up in the mountains on some adventure.
Longtime BSF coach Roger Bay decided it was time to step back from his position as Head Comp Coach, but we're thrilled that he's sticking around and will serve as the Alpine Education Coach. Roger has been coaching since 1983, and more than half of those years have been with BSF. For a third of his coaching career, he coached the U.S. Ski Team. Roger started racing late (age 14), when he moved to Utah. He raced through high school, for two years afterwards, and then moved to Bozeman to race for the Bobcats. He started coaching BSF then, interspersed with winters elsewhere, including four years with the Park City Ski Team in Utah, one year in Minneapolis with Team Gilboa, and many winters in Europe coaching with the U.S. Ski Team. His coaching philosophy: Help make better people through the sport of Alpine Ski racing.
We're also pleased to announce a new hire, David Pellerin.
David grew up in the mountains of central New Hampshire. His love for skiing began at a very young age at a small local hill. He raced competitively from elementary school through high school before moving to Montana to attend U.M.. After chasing powder around the state for four years, a knee injury forced him to move back to NH. With his wife, Brandi, they started their ceramic company Indikoi, producing fine porcelain products for 20 years. Three years ago he moved his family back to Montana to ski, hike, fish, hunt and raise their kids in the mountains. When not coaching, David can be found skiing with his wife and three children, Jarvis, Nola, and Remy, all BSF Devo team racers. David (aka Buck) joined the BSF coaching staff in 2020.
Mike Murgatroy will move into the position of Head Masters Coach, for BSF's adult Alpine program. Mike has been an Alpine Ski Coach since 1995, working in the Far West, Eastern and Northern Divisions and this is his fourth term serving as a coach with BSF. He's also the Alpine Officials Chair for U.S. Ski & Snowboard Northern Division.
Also, a huge thanks to Pete Petry, who served as the Alpine Director last year. Pete resigned this spring to pursue new opportunities. He'll be missed!
